Number of New Wells 

 12001- 



Figure 9. There are more than 12, 000 offshore 

 oil wells off the U.S. coasts. Along with trans- 

 portation and fishing, this industry now con- 

 stitutes a major use of the Continental Shelf 

 (Shell Oil Co. photo) 



demonstrated man's ability to perform useful 

 work in such depths. 



Many problems faced by the petroleum indus- 

 try are common to other users of coastal waters 

 and their resolution is in the best interest of all. 

 These include:^* 



—Improved navigation. The oil industry believes 

 there is a pressing need for improved navigation 

 systems. Accuracies in the order of ± 50 feet up to 

 200 miles from shore are indicated. 



—Environmental forecasts. Better understanding 

 and predictions of wind, sea, storms and other 

 environmental data is needed to effectively plan 

 and utilize personnel and materials. 



—Traffic control in congested waters. This is 

 important for the safety of oil rigs as well as the 

 vessels transiting or operating in congested areas. 



These problems were identified by the Panel on 

 Petroleum at the Second Conference on the Continental 

 Shelf, National Security Industrial Association-Ocean 

 Science & Technology Advisory Committee (OSTAC), 

 November 1967. 



-4=4- 



\ r 



-I L 

 1 h 



1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 



Figure 10. Number of new oil wells drilled off 

 the U.S. coast 1960-1970. (Source: American 

 Petroleum Institute) 



—Surveys. Bathymetric and reconnaissance 

 mapping of coastal waters is an effective means to 

 reduce user spatial and time demands as well as 

 improve the effectiveness of user operations. 



—Jurisdictions. It is in the interest of all users of 

 coastal spaces to determine Federal-State jurisdic- 

 tion, and resolve unclear or nonuniform regulatory 

 procedures. 



X. MARINE MINING 



Marine mining, although under a great deal of 

 study and exploration, is not increasing substan- 



Figure 11. Offshore oil and gas exploitation ac- 

 tivity. (Source: Offshore Magazine, /uwe 1968) 



III-24 



