Changes

Maps and descriptions affecting federally controlled offshore interests are based on a series of maps designated by the Mineral Management Service (1984) as "Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Maps" and "OCS Official Protraction Diagrams." Each map has an identifier name, such as "Texas Map 8" or "NH 16-B" and, in most cases, a name such as "Sabine Pass Area" or "Destin Dome Area."

Maps and descriptions affecting federally controlled offshore interests are based on a series of maps designated by the Mineral Management Service (1984) as "Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Maps" and "OCS Official Protraction Diagrams." Each map has an identifier name, such as "Texas Map 8" or "NH 16-B" and, in most cases, a name such as "Sabine Pass Area" or "Destin Dome Area."

Each OCS map is divided into blocks that are generally three miles square ([[area::5760 acres]]), ''except'' those portions in offshore Louisiana lying in water depths less than 200 meters or along state or federal jurisdictional boundaries. The shallow water offshore Louisiana tracts are generally in the shape of a square, containing [[area::5000 acres]]. Boundary line tracts (between states or federal areas) vary in size and usually contain less than [[area::5000 acres|5000]] or [[area::5760 acres]], respectively. In some frontier OCS areas, the [[Mineral Management Service]] has used larger tracts based on the metric system.

Each OCS map is divided into blocks that are generally three miles square ([[area::5760 acres]]), ''except'' those portions in offshore Louisiana lying in water depths less than [[distance::200 meters]] or along state or federal jurisdictional boundaries. The shallow water offshore Louisiana tracts are generally in the shape of a square, containing [[area::5000 acres]]. Boundary line tracts (between states or federal areas) vary in size and usually contain less than [[area::5000 acres|5000]] or [[area::5760 acres]], respectively. In some frontier OCS areas, the [[Mineral Management Service]] has used larger tracts based on the metric system.

Because water depths are important to the geological and economic evaluations and the potential of offshore leases, the Mineral Management Service also has bathymetric maps available for use by the industry. Here is an example of a legal description set out in the Mineral Management Service (1984)<ref>Mineral Management Service, 1984, Oil and Gas Leasing Procedures Guidelines, Gulf of Mexico Region: MMS, Department of the Interior, 188 p.</ref> OCS procedures guide for use in federal waters:

Because water depths are important to the geological and economic evaluations and the potential of offshore leases, the Mineral Management Service also has bathymetric maps available for use by the industry. Here is an example of a legal description set out in the Mineral Management Service (1984)<ref>Mineral Management Service, 1984, Oil and Gas Leasing Procedures Guidelines, Gulf of Mexico Region: MMS, Department of the Interior, 188 p.</ref> OCS procedures guide for use in federal waters:

:That portion of Block 870, OCS Official Protraction Diagram, Mobile NH 16-4, which is more than three geographical miles seaward from the low water line off the coast of Mississippi and/or Alabama.

:That portion of Block 870, OCS Official Protraction Diagram, Mobile NH 16-4, which is more than three geographical miles seaward from the low water line off the coast of Mississippi and/or Alabama.

[[File:Tinkler__land-description-and-maps__Fig_4.png|thumb|{{figure_number|4}}(a) example showing the procedure for plotting the metes and bounds property description. (b) the completed plot of the metes and bounds property description.]]  

[[File:Tinkler__land-description-and-maps__Fig_4.png|thumb|{{figure_number|4}}(a) example showing the procedure for plotting the metes and bounds property description. (b) the completed plot of the metes and bounds property description.]]

==See also==

==See also==