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Oil and Gas Resource Plays

Published by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management | Department of the Interior | Metadata Last Checked: July 18, 2025 | Last Modified: 2021-02-01
This data layer shows the extent of the probable oil or gas plays identified within the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Plays are groups of hydrocarbon pools that share a common history of generation, migration, reservoir development, and entrapment. Geologic classifications of each play and its potential are described in the associated reports for each region (see "More Info"). The analysis was based on seismic surveys analyzed by BOEM geologists. Other plays may exist in OCS waters that could be identified in future seismic survey results. The listed values in the attribute table represent the mean expected resource within an entire play. Bbo â billions of barrels of oil; Tcf â trillion cubic feet; BOE â barrel of oil equivalent â the amount of all potentially recoverable types of hydrocarbons in relation to the energy produced by a barrel of oil.

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