U.S. Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Plays for 2021

2021 data shows the extent of probable oil and gas geologic structures (plays) within the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) created this national data layer based on seismic surveys analyzed by its geologists. It details plays sharing common geologic, geographic, and temporal properties.

Use Cases

• Estimate Unrecovered Technically Recoverable Resource (UTRR) volumes for specific geologic plays.
• Analyze the spatial distribution and overlap of hydrocarbon plays across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico regions.
• Identify areas with multiple vertically stacked plays for resource assessment and exploration planning.
• Support leasing decisions by mapping probable oil and gas structures based on seismic survey analysis.

Strengths

• National-scale coverage of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.
• Analysis based on seismic surveys interpreted by BOEM geologists.
• Plays are defined by shared geologic, geographic, and temporal properties.

Limitations

• Data represents a single snapshot from 2021, not a time series.
• Specific row counts, column details, and quantitative UTRR values are unknown.
• Geographic focus is limited to U.S. federal waters, excluding onshore and state waters.

Provenance

Source

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), U.S. Department of the Interior.

Collection Method

Analysis of seismic surveys by BOEM geologists to identify and characterize geologic plays.

Time Range

2021

Freshness

Data reflects 2021 assessments, last updated in the platform on April 4, 2026.

Geography

U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico).