The Offshore Oil Exploration Industry and Archaeology in the Gulf of Mexico

After several decades of technological, political, and legal buildup, the United States offshore oil and gas industry broke through shortly after the conclusion of World War II. Under the regulation and administration of the U.S. Department of the Interior, the industry quickly became a significant driver of the U.S. and world economies, and Gulf of Mexico reservoirs remain the largest source of offshore domestic oil and gas supply. Offshore exploration activities also have resulted in a significant majority of underwater archaeological discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico. Federal archaeologists began oversight of offshore oil and gas activities in the 1970s, and since that time technological advancements have enabled exploration into ever deeper waters of the Gulf, along with a concurrent broadening of the ability to identify and investigate archaeological resources submerged on the Outer Continental Shelf. To date, hundreds of shipwreck discoveries have occurred, and collaborative projects between government and industry archaeologists have further documented over three dozen wrecks which are considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The interaction between the offshore oil and gas industry and underwater archaeology has significantly deepened our knowledge of Gulf of Mexico and U.S. maritime history, and this relationship should continue to yield significant discoveries well into the future.