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Gulf of Mexico Archaeological Information

Why are archaeological resources a consideration in oil and gas exploration and development?

The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, is Federal legislation developed to ensure that our Nation's historical and archaeological properties are not lost through neglect or inadvertently damaged by activities permitted or funded by Federal agencies. Specifically, BOEMRE, as a Federal bureau, is required to ensure that activities it funds (e.g., environmental studies) and activities it permits, such as lease sales, the drilling of oil and gas wells, and the construction of pipelines, do not adversely affect significant archaeological sites on the Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). To determine if there is a potential to affect archaeological resources on the OCS by proposed oil and gas activities, the BOEMRE Gulf of Mexico Region (GOMR) has funded archaeology studies to ascertain where on the OCS these sites are likely to occur.

Archaeological sites on the OCS are most likely to be either prehistoric Native American sites dating from the time at the end of the last Ice Age, when sea levels were about 200 feet lower then they are today, or historic shipwrecks.  The oil and gas industry is required to conduct surveys of the seafloor using remote-sensing instruments before they any undertake bottom disturbing activities. These instruments usually include a magnetometer, which detects ferrous metals, a sidescan sonar, which creates a picture of the seafloor using reflected sound waves, and a subbottom profiler, which detects variations in the sediment underlying the seafloor. The data collected by these instruments are reviewed by archaeologists, who write reports on their findings for submittal to BOEMRE.  BOEMRE archaeologists, in turn, use these reports to review applications from industry to drill wells or construct pipelines.

The BOEMRE has specific guidelines contained in NTL 2005-G07 for conducting remote-sensing surveys and writing reports for archaeological sites on the OCS.  Pending new guidance this NTL only applies to specific areas defined as Archaeology Survey Blocks and the requirements differ depending upon whether the block has been determined to have a probability for historic shipwrecks or for submerged prehistoric sites.

As of March 2011, BOEMRE will require an assessment of the impacts of offshore oil and gas operations on a host of natural, biological, and cultural resources to ensure their protection.  Bottom-disturbing operations such as well placement, anchoring, and pipelay activities can lead to damage to any resources that reside on the seabed, particularly archaeological resources such as historic shipwrecks.  High-resolution surveys provide an effective tool analysts use to identify and help protect archaeological resources; however, such survey coverage was not always required and is often not available for all areas of the Gulf of Mexico.  The lack of coverage has become especially problematic in deeper water where oil and gas activities are increasing and more shipwrecks are being identified.

To ensure adequate survey coverage is available for analyst review and to help with environmental reviews conducted for the agency's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, Pre-Seabed Disturbance Survey Mitigation was developed and may be imposed, as required, on industry activities.  This new guidance document will augment NTL 2005-G07.

On occasion, the Gulf of Mexico Region needs more information about a particular remote-sensing target to determine if it is a significant archaeological site and will require the oil and gas industry to conduct an investigation by underwater archaeologists.  These investigations involve the use of divers or remote operated vehicles (ROVs) and require that specific methodological guidelines are followed (see links below).

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Archaeology Regulatory Links:

Appendix B- Gulf of Mexico Marine Archaeological Contractors 

Archaeological Resources Regulation

Archaeology Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Archaeology Survey Blocks  (Updated October 14, 2008)

Contacts

Diver Evaluation of Unidentified Magnetic Anomalies and/or Sidescan Sonar Targets

Guidance on Complying with Pre-Seabed Disturbance Mitigation 

NTL 2008-G20, Revisions to the List of GOMR OCS Lease Blocks Requiring Archaeological Resource Surveys and Reports; Archaeological Survey Requirements for the Atlantic OCS

NTL 2005-G07, Archaeological Resource Surveys and Reports

Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Investigations of Unidentified Magnetic Anomalies and/or Sidescan Sonar Targets: Methodological Guidelines

Pre-Seabed Disturbance Survey Mitigation

Archaeology Publications:

Archaeology Papers

Archaeology Studies - Completed Studies

Archaeology Studies - Ongoing Studies

Archaeology Outreach:

MMS Donates Artifacts from Historic Shipwreck to State of Louisiana  (March 3, 2009)

Historic Shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico  (Updated December 14, 2001)

Historic Shipwrecks of the Gulf of Mexico, A Teacher's Resource

Secrets of Historic Shipwreck Intrigue MMS Archaeologists