Discover the Gulf of Mexico with our comprehensive data and pipeline map. Explore coastal and island information along with oil and gas data.

Gulf Mexico Oil and Gas Map: 2023 Review

The Gulf of Mexico contributes 15% of U.S. crude oil production. Despite facing challenges like hurricanes, the pandemic, and political factors, it remains a key region for energy production. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) forecasts a temporary increase in Gulf production until 2027, after which it is expected to decline due to the growth of renewable energy and other factors​​. 

BOEM provides comprehensive Gulf of Mexico Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping data, which includes cadastral, regulatory, and resource features. The available Gulf map data encompasses lease, block, and protraction polygons, fairways, pipelines, and platforms. 

• Major Fields and Platforms

Notable fields on the Gulf Mexico map include Eugene Island block 330, Atlantis Oil Field, and the Tiber oilfield. Significant oil platforms in the region include Baldpate, Bullwinkle, Mad Dog, Magnolia, Mars, Petronius, and Thunder Horse​​. 

• Deepwater Exploration

Over the years, advancements in technology have enabled oil companies to extend drilling into deeper waters. The deepest water depth for a discovery in the Gulf of Mexico is 9,975 feet at Lloyd Ridge 370. More than 70% of the region's oil production now comes from wells drilled in depths greater than 1,000 feet​​.

• Largest Lease Auction

In November 2021, about 80.9 million acres in federal waters in the Gulf were auctioned for oil and gas production, representing the largest lease in U.S. history. Chevron was the largest buyer, spending $47.1 million, followed by Anadarko, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, and Exxon​​.

BOEM periodically holds Oil and Gas Lease Sales in the Gulf of Mexico. Maps with active leases from these sales offer current information on the leasing status of oil and gas resources in the region. 

The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that global crude oil demand could rise by 2 million barrels per day (MMbpd) in 2023, indicating a continuing reliance on fossil fuels despite the transition to renewable energy sources​​.

Gulf of Mexico US Map: Environmental Considerations and Production Trends

McKinsey & Company anticipates a peak in oil demand between 2024 and 2035, with new sources of supply needed to offset production declines. 

The Gulf of Mexico is known for having lower emissions per barrel compared to other major basins, due to minimal flaring, modern designs that minimize methane leakage, and efficient production facilities.

The U.S. federal government has historically restricted drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, including offshore Florida and Alabama, since 1995. Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, a moratorium on new drilling in the eastern Gulf was imposed for at least seven years​​.

Without continued investment, however, Gulf production could start to decline by 2024, potentially leading to a gap of 0.8 MMbpd by 2040 and a cumulative loss of 4 billion barrels over the period, alongside significant economic implications​​​​.

How Many Miles of Pipe is in The Gulf of Mexico?

On a map of the Gulf of Mexico, one can see a sprawling network of pipelines, integral to the region's oil and gas operations. 

Gulf of Mexico is home to 14,773 miles of active offshore gas pipelines. These pipelines, predominantly located in federal waters (91%), with the rest in state waters, are critical for transporting gas. Over 20% of these pipelines have been added in the last five years, indicating significant growth in the region's gas infrastructure. 

A Gulf of Mexico Map shows over 26,000 miles of oil and gas pipelines laid out on its seafloor. This extensive network underscores the Gulf's pivotal role in oil and gas transportation. It's noteworthy that some pipelines contain hydrogen sulfide, a dangerous gas, requiring rigorous safety protocols. 

Gulf of Mexico Map of Acquisitions

• ExxonMobil's Acquisition of Denbury

In July 2023, ExxonMobil Corporation completed the acquisition of Denbury Inc. in an all-stock transaction valued at $4.9 billion. This deal, expected to be completed in Q4 of 2023, has significant implications for ExxonMobil's operations and the U.S. energy infrastructure.

The acquisition provides ExxonMobil access to the largest owned and operated carbon dioxide pipeline network in the United States. This network includes over 1,300 miles of CO2 pipelines, with nearly 925 miles spread across Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. This enhanced infrastructure is expected to significantly benefit ExxonMobil's operational capabilities in the Gulf of Mexico region. 

• Kinder Morgan and Howard Energy Partners' Expansion 

In July 2023, Kinder Morgan Tejas Pipeline LLC (a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, Inc.) and Howard Energy Partners (HEP), through their joint venture Dos Caminos, LLC, announced expansions of their respective Eagle Ford natural gas transportation systems.

These projects are set to complete in Q4 of 2023 and will have a capacity of delivering up to 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas to U.S. Gulf Coast markets​​.

• Perma-Pipe's Gulf of Mexico Project 

Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. received a contract exceeding $9 million in March 2023. This contract represents a significant investment in the region's pipeline infrastructure, contributing to the overall development and maintenance of the network​​.

This project is situated in the US Gulf of Mexico at a water depth of approximately 5,800 feet (1,760 meters). FLOW-THERM is a well-known insulation solution in the oil and gas industry and has been used in deepwater projects up to 10,000 feet (3,050 meters) deep.

• Williams and Chevron's Agreement 

In July 2023, Williams announced agreements with Chevron to support natural gas development in both the Haynesville Basin and the deepwater areas of the Gulf of Mexico.

As part of the Haynesville agreement, Williams plans to construct a greenfield gathering system in support of Chevron’s acreage dedication, connecting to the LEG project. This project is designed to gather natural gas produced in the Haynesville basin for delivery to premium markets, including Transco, industrial markets, and growing LNG export demand along the Gulf Coast.

• I Squared Capital's Acquisition 

In February 2023, I Squared Capital, through its ISQ Global Infrastructure Fund III, acquired a majority interest in the Whistler Pipeline from First Infrastructure Capital, Ridgemont Equity Partners, affiliates of West Texas Gas Inc., affiliates of Stonepeak Partners LP, and the WhiteWater management team.

The pipeline system includes about 450 miles of 42-inch diameter pipeline that transports natural gas from the Waha area in the Permian Basin to Agua Dulce, Texas, with connections to Corpus Christi and the coast.

I Squared Capital recognizes the increasing long-term demand for natural gas across the U.S. Gulf Coast, driven by the growth in LNG liquefaction capacity in the region and the rising demand from Mexico.

• Vallourec's Orders from LLOG Exploration Offshore 

Vallourec, a leading provider of tubular solutions, secured significant orders from LLOG Exploration Offshore for the supply of 25,000 metric tons of line pipe. These pipes are for the Salamanca deepwater development off the US coast of the Gulf of Mexico​.

The projected capacity of this development is 60,000 barrels of oil and 40 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. The repurposing approach used in this development leads to a significant reduction in both time and cost, as well as a 70% reduction in emissions compared to constructing a new unit​.

Where is the Gulf of Mexico on a Map?

When viewing the Gulf of Mexico on a map, its prominent position as a large oceanic basin on the southeastern coast of North America becomes evident. This key geographic feature is notable for its boundaries with both U.S. and Mexican states, as well as its proximity to the island of Cuba.

Northern Borders: On a map of the Gulf of Mexico, you can clearly see it is bordered to the north, northeast, and northwest by U.S. states including Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, and Florida. These states form a crescent along its northern edge, highlighting the Gulf's significance in regional maritime and economic activities.

Southern Borders: To the south and southwest, the Gulf is bounded by the Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Yucatan. 

Southeastern Border: The island of Cuba lies to the southeast of the Gulf. On the map, Cuba's positioning is strategic, marking the Gulf's entrance to the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Connections to Other Bodies of Water: The Gulf of Mexico's connection to the Caribbean Sea is illustrated on the Gulf map by the Yucatán Channel, situated between Cuba and Mexico. The Straits of Florida, running between the Florida peninsula and Cuba, link the Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Is There Still Oil in the Gulf of Mexico?

The Gulf of Mexico is still rich in oil reserves and continues to be a key region for oil production. 

• Gulf of Mexico Oil Rig Map and Infrastructure 

Maps available from the Gulf of Mexico Regional Geographic Information System (GIS) display active leases, oil and gas structures, pipelines, area boundaries, lease term lines, oil refineries, supply bases, crude oil terminals, and water depth in meters. 

• Oil Reserves 

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) provides detailed information on active and expired fields and leases in the Gulf of Mexico. This includes leases assigned to each field, Energy Information Administration (EIA) field code numbers, and cumulative field production​​. 

BOEM's report on estimated oil and gas reserves in the Gulf of Mexico Region on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) reveals significant numbers. The “original reserves,” which combine cumulative production and reserves, include 26.77 billion barrels of oil and 197.0 trillion cubic feet of gas from 1,325 oil and gas fields​​. 

• Oil Production Forecasts

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that U.S. crude oil production in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to increase in the coming years. By the end of 2022, 13 new projects were projected to account for about 12% of total Gulf of Mexico crude oil production, equating to approximately 200,000 barrels per day​​. 

What is the Largest Oil Field in the Gulf of Mexico?

The Zama, Whale, and Mad Dog Phase 2 fields, located in the Gulf of Mexico, are among the largest upcoming oil fields in the region. A Gulf of Mexico depth map would provide valuable details on the underwater terrain and depths of these fields.

• Zama Field

Situated in the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, Zama is expected to begin production in 2024, peaking in 2026 at about 0.13 mmboed. The field, operated by PEMEX Exploracion y Produccion, is owned by several entities including BASF and Harbour Energy. It's estimated to reach its economic limit in 2053.

• Whale Field

Located in the Western Planning Area of the U.S. Gulf, Whale is owned by Chevron and Shell, with Shell Offshore as the operator. Production is set to start in 2024, peaking at around 0.09 mmboed in 2026, with a projected operational span until 2073.

• Mad Dog Phase 2 

In the Central Planning Area of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Mad Dog Phase 2, owned by BP, Chevron, and Woodside Energy Group, and operated by BP Exploration & Production, is expected to start producing in 2023. Its peak production, forecasted for 2024, is around 0.12 mmboed, with an estimated production continuity until 2041.

• The Gulf Coast Express Pipeline (GCX)

The Gulf Coast Express Pipeline (GCX) is a significant infrastructure project in the Permian Basin, located in Waha, Texas, USA. Developed by Kinder Morgan Texas Pipeline (KMTP), a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, the pipeline spans 720km and was operational as of September 2019. With an initial capacity of 2 billion cubic feet of gas per day and an installed compression of 214,280hp, the GCX is a vital link in the region's energy infrastructure.

Who Owns the Gulf Coast Pipeline?

The Gulf Coast Express Pipeline (GCX) is a significant natural gas pipeline owned and operated by a consortium of companies.

The pipeline is jointly owned by subsidiaries of Kinder Morgan, Inc., DCP Midstream, LP, an affiliate of ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC, and Kinetik Holdings Inc. Their respective ownership interests are 34%, 25%, 25%, and 16%. 

Kinder Morgan Texas Pipeline (KMTP) is the operator of the Gulf Coast Express Pipeline​​​​.

Details:

• The GCX Project, which began construction in May 2018, was designed to transport up to 1.98 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas from the Permian Basin to the Agua Dulce, Texas area.
• The project cost was approximately $1.75 billion and was fully subscribed under long-term, binding transportation agreements.
• Shippers that committed to the project include DCP Midstream, Targa, Apache Corporation, Pioneer Natural Resources Company, and XTO Energy, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil.
• Kinder Morgan initially held a 50 percent interest in the GCX Project, with DCP Midstream and Targa Resources each holding a 25 percent equity interest. Apache Corporation also had the option to purchase up to a 15 percent equity stake in the project from Kinder Morgan​​.

In April 2022, Kinder Morgan announced a binding open season for an incremental 650 MMcf/d of capacity on the Permian Highway Pipeline and planned a similar expansion for the Gulf Coast Express Pipeline.

In May 2022, Kinder Morgan announced an open season for an expansion project on the Gulf Coast Express Pipeline, with an incremental increase of 570 MMcf/d from compression expansions. This expansion was expected to be operational by December 2023​​.

What Countries Are in the Gulf of Mexico?

The Gulf of Mexico is a significant body of water located on the southeastern coast of North America. It's an oval-shaped oceanic basin that is bounded by several states and countries:

United States: On the northeast, north, and northwest, the Gulf of Mexico is bordered by the Gulf Coast of the United States, which includes the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, and Florida​​​​.

Mexico: To the south and southwest, the Gulf is bordered by Mexico, specifically the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan​​​​.

Cuba: On the southeast, the Gulf of Mexico is bounded by the northwest portion of Cuba​​​​.

Regarding oil and gas exploration, the Gulf of Mexico is a central offshore source of oil and gas for the United States, accounting for about 97% of all U.S. offshore oil and gas production. In the fiscal year 2021, revenues from Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas activities in the Gulf amounted to $4.1 billion, which includes funds from lease sales, royalties on production, and rental fees. These revenues are distributed to the U.S. Treasury and several different programs through various revenue-sharing laws, benefiting all U.S. citizens​​.

Hurricanes and the pandemic have significantly affected production in recent years. For instance, an active hurricane season in 2020 resulted in 43 million barrels of lost production, and Hurricane Ida in 2021 caused the loss of 45 million barrels. However, oil production is expected to recover to levels seen from 2013 to 2019 before starting to decline in 2027​​​​.

McKinsey & Company warns that without continued investment, production from the Gulf of Mexico could start to decline by 2024, potentially creating a gap of 0.8 MMbpd by 2040. This could result in a 4-billion-barrel cumulative loss over this period, with significant economic implications. Such a decline, offset by production from other regions, could also increase global emissions by 50 to 100 million metric tons of CO2 through 2040​​.

Is the Caribbean Sea Part of the Gulf of Mexico? 

The Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico are distinct water bodies, but they are closely linked. 

The Yucatán Channel, a key geographical feature, connects these two bodies of water. This channel, stretching for about 915 kilometers, is critical for ecological exchange between the two seas. 

In terms of size and depth, the Caribbean Sea is notably expansive, covering an area of approximately 2,754,000 square kilometers and reaching its greatest known depth in the Cayman Trench (Bartlett Deep) between Cuba and Jamaica, which is about 7,686 meters deep. The proximity and connection of these two bodies of water are evident on any map of Caribbean or the Gulf of Mexico, as they collectively form the Central American Sea​​​​.

Is Florida in the Gulf of Mexico? 

Florida, while not situated within the Gulf of Mexico, has a significant coastline along this large body of water. On a Caribbean map, you can clearly see the strategic position of Florida as it borders the northeastern edge of the Gulf of Mexico. 

The Gulf of Mexico is home to an extensive network of oil and gas pipelines, vital for the energy infrastructure of the region. These pipelines, often visible on detailed Gulf of Mexico maps, are essential for transporting crude oil and natural gas from offshore drilling sites to refineries and other destinations.

The Caribbean Sea's oil and gas pipeline network, crucial for the energy sector, connects various countries and facilitates resource transportation. This network, captured in the VMAP Level 0 database, includes pipelines around the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, as well as the islands within the area, offering a detailed view at a 1:1,000,000 scale.

Similarly, the Gulf of Mexico oil rig map for 2023 and interactive maps of oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico provide vital information about the region's oil infrastructure. These maps, like those of the Caribbean, use color codes to differentiate pipelines—green for oil, red for gas, and blue for products like gasoline. They detail pipeline diameter, length, and capacity.

Recent oil and gas discoveries in the Caribbean Sea, particularly in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, have spurred exploration and development. These include Exxon Mobil's Liza-1 and Payara discoveries in Guyana. In Suriname, Apache Corp's 2020 offshore discovery and Trinidad and Tobago's significant oil finds add to the region's energy potential.

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