Update 2, February 1981: Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas activities in the Mid-Atlantic and their onshore impacts: A summary report, November 1979

The level of activity of oil and gas exploration on the Mid-Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) has remained constant, with two drilling rigs operating during the period from June through December 1980. Gas flows in two wells were announced in November, but neither has been shown to be commercial at this time.

A third lease sale in the Mid-Atlantic Region, Lease Sale 59, is scheduled to be held in December 1981. The proposed sale area is in deeper water, seaward of existing leased tracts. Recent drilling results and preliminary geophysical investigations indicate a greater potential for resources in this area than in the two earlier lease sale areas on the Mid-Atlantic OCS.

Onshore impacts from OCS exploration during this period have remained minimal at the two support bases serving the Mid-Atlantic Region.