The deepwater portion of Gulf of Mexico has shown a remarkable increase in oil and gas exploration, development and production.  In part this is due to the development of new technologies reducing operational costs and risks, as well as the finding of reservoirs with high production wells. There are about 90 announced Gulf deepwater prospects--the Gulf operators have been setting and surpassing records in water depth and length using new and improved proven technology.

Current Deepwater Activity (PDF - Updated weekly)

Deepwater Gulf of Mexico 2004: America’s Expanding Frontier, OCS Study MMS 2004-021
        2004-021 Errata 

Overview of Gulf of Mexico's Deepwaters

List of Deepwater Discoveries

Deepwater Development Systems

The Deepwater Gulf of Mexico - Lessons Learned (Presented by Carolita Kallaur at the Institute of Petroleum's International Conference on Deepwater Exploration and Production in Association with OGP, February 22, 2001)

Deepwater Royalty Relief

Recommended Guidelines for Conservation Information Documents

Gulf of Mexico Permanent Deepwater Structures

Deepwater Production Summary by Year

Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale Statistics - Bids Received By Water Depth

Western Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale Statistics - Bids Received By Water Depth

Related Deepwater News Releases & Information

1. MMS to Hold Workshop on Deepwater Current Monitoring Program  (September 3, 2004)
2. Deepwater Discoveries Announced in 2004 Gulf of Mexico OCS (Through June 1, 2004)   (July 12, 2004)
3. MMS Announces Eight Deepwater Discoveries in 2004  (June 3, 2004)
4. Expanding Deepwater Frontier Is Focus of New Report  (May 5, 2004)
5. Deepwater Gulf of Mexico 2004: America’s Expanding Frontier - Fact Sheet  (May 5, 2004)
6. Deepwater Gulf of Mexico 2004: America’s Expanding Frontier, OCS Study MMS 2004-021  (May 5, 2004)
7. Ultra-Deep Drilling Record Set Deepwater Energy Exploration Expands   (March 4, 2004)
8. Gulf Deepwater Activity Continues at High Rate   (February 12, 2003)
9. MMS Announces New World Records Set in Deepwater   (November 18, 2002)

10. Deepwater Gulf of Mexico 2002: America’s Expanding Frontier (May 6, 2002)

11. The Deep Sea Gulf of Mexico: An Overview and Guide (November 2001)

12. Two Records Are Set for Deepwater Gulf of Mexico  (May 23, 2001)
13. The Promise of Deep Gas in the Gulf of Mexico (April 2001)
14. Number of Rigs Drilling In Deepwater Gulf Reaches Record High of 42  (April 19, 2001)
15. Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Proposed Use  of Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading Systems on the Gulf of Mexico  Outer Continental Shelf, Western and Central Planning Areas   (February 2001)
16. MMS Announces the Availability of the Final EIS on Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading Systems, and Completion of the Comparative Risk Analysis  (February 9, 2001)
17. Rigs Drilling in Deepwater Gulf Reaches Record High  (December 27, 2000)
18. MMS Announces Partnership for Technology Development   (December 15, 2000)
19. Deepwater Gulf of Mexico Environmental and Socioeconomic Data Search and Literature Synthesis Volume I: Technical Narrative and Volume II: Annotated Bibliography   (September 2000)
20. Rigs Drilling in Deepwater Gulf Reaches Record High (July 20, 2000)
21. Deepwater Development: A Reference Document for the Deepwater Environmental Assessment, Gulf of Mexico OCS (1998 through 2007)  (June 2000)
22. Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Operations and Activities: Environmental Assessment  (June 2000)
23. Deepwater Production in the Gulf of Mexico Jumps Dramatically  (June 26, 2000)
24. Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Operations and Activities: Environmental Assessment  (June 9, 2000)
25. Deepwater: A New Frontier for Resource Management (May 18, 2000)

26. Deepwater Gulf of Mexico:  America's Emerging Frontier  (April 2000)