Distribution, Magnitude, and Variability of Natural Oil Seeps in the Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico is a hydrocarbon-rich region characterized by the presence floating oil slicks from persistent natural hydrocarbon seeps, which are reliably captured synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imaging. Improving state knowledge seepage in improves understanding and quantification rates North America. We used data derived SAR scenes collected over 1978 to 2018 locate slick origins (OSOs), cluster OSOs into discrete seep zones, estimate flux individual events, calculate recurrence rates. In total, 1618 zones were identified, primarily concentrated northern within Louann salt formation, with secondary concentration Campeche region. centerline method was based on drift length (centerline), area, average current wind speeds. Flux estimates surface area varied geographically temporally; average, exhibited an 11% rate, suggesting possible intermittent discharge seeps. estimated instantaneous for seeps 9.8 mL s?1 (1.9 × 103 bbl yr?1), annual 1.73–6.69 105 yr?1 (2.75–10.63 104 m3 yr?1) entire Mexico. temporal variability suggests potential decrease following 1995; however, analysis four lease blocks indicates that has not changed substantially time. It unlikely production activities impact human timescale. Of identified 1401 located U.S. waters, 70 as having significantly higher than average. Seep exhibiting high more likely be associated positive seismic anomalies. Many methods developed this study can applied SAR-detected other marine settings better assess magnitude global seepage.