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An oilspill risk analysis for the North Atlantic outer continental shelf lease area
Open-File Report
76-620
By: Richard Allmon Smith, James Richard Slack, and Robert K. Davis
The Federal Government has proposed to lease 1,172,795 acres of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) lands on Georges Bank off the New England Coast for oil and gas development. Estimated recoverable petroleum resources for the proposed 206 tract sale area range from 180 to 650 million barrels. Contingent upon actual discovery of this quantity of oil, production is expected to span a period of about 20 years. An oilspill risk analysis was conducted to determine relative environmental hazards of developing oil in the North Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf lease area. The study analyzed probability of spill occurrence, likely path of pollutants from spills, and locations in space and time of recreational and biological resources likely to be vulnerable. These results are combined to yield estimates of the overall oilspill risk associated with development of the lease area. (Woodard-USGS)
Suggested Citation
Smith, R.A., Slack, J.R., Davis, R.K., 1976, An oilspill risk analysis for the North Atlantic outer continental shelf lease area: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 76-620, vii, 50 leaves :ill., maps ;27 cm.; (38 p. - PGS), https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr76620.
ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)
Publication type
Report
Publication Subtype
USGS Numbered Series
Title
An oilspill risk analysis for the North Atlantic outer continental shelf lease area