300 OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATElS 



Mr. Liix. We have to be truthful about it, however, and state that, 

 so far as we know, we are not in a race on this project. We just don't 

 know. 



Mr. Pelly. Sony we cannot use some of the 281/2 percent depletion 

 allowance. If it was indicated there was some oil down there, I am 

 sure there would be considerable interest from a purely profit motive 

 and incentive. 



Mr. LiLL.. The oil industry is one up on us in that respect. Almost 

 everyone assumes now that hydrocarbons which form petroleum prob- 

 ably do not accumulate in the deep ocean basins. 



This is only probable, but it is a large probability. All the indica- 

 tions seem to be that the hydrocarbons accumulate in shallow seas. 



Some hydrocarbons perhaps could be carried off to the bottom of the 

 deep sea on sediments, but I do not think it is very likely. 



I think the farthest out from the continents you likely would find 

 oil would be on the edge of the continental slope, where sediments 

 accumulate and perhaps do form a petroleum trap. This also is only 

 a probability. 



Mr. Pelly. From a practical standpoint it always seems to me we 

 should investigate our own earth rather than space and other planets 

 so far off. We would get a better return on it from our effort much 

 more rapidly and serve the purpose of humanity much better. 



Mr. LiLL. We think it is at least as important. There are many rea- 

 sons why it is more important. 



Mr. Pelly. There are many hidden secrets in the depths of the 

 earth. I am very much interested and I want to express my pleasure 

 at being able to hear your testimony. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Miller. Mr. Curtin ? 



Mr. Curtin. I have no questions. 



Mr. Milij:r. Committtee coimsel ? 



Mr. Dre\\t?y. Mr. Lill, in the list of members of the AMSOC Com- 

 mittee, I notice you have representatives of the ONR, Geological Sur- 

 vey, the Army, and the Air Force. 



Is there official interest in those branches of the Government in 

 seeing this project carried out ? 



Mr. Lill. In the Office of Naval Research we have established a 

 small study contract with the Global Marine Research Corp. in Los 

 Angeles to see how they would go about modifying their rig, Citss ly 

 to get through the first two sediment layers at least in the deep ocean. 



As part of that contract, the Office of Research and Development, 

 Army, transferred to the Office of Naval Research a small amount of 

 money to help us get this study going. 



The total cost of the study, I think, which will be paid off this coming 

 fiscal year, will be about $05,000. 



These two agencies are the only two that have done anything about 

 the program. 



Mr. Drewry. The Geological Survey has not taken any official posi- 

 tion with rega rd to this p rogr a m ? 



Mr. Lill. No, sir. I imagine the Geological Survey, however, will 

 provide geologists if they are needed, who are not otherwise ]>r()vided, 

 in overall help in collecting the cores, sediments, and so on, presumably 

 without cost to the project. 



