Building a National Ocean Exploration Building a National Ocean Exploration ProgramProgram

Presentation byPresentation by

Paul KellyPaul KellySenior Vice PresidentSenior Vice President

Rowan Companies, Inc.Rowan Companies, Inc.

MemberMemberU.S. Commission on Ocean PolicyU.S. Commission on Ocean Policy

Capitol Hill Oceans WeekCapitol Hill Oceans WeekWashington, D.C.Washington, D.C.

June 10, 2004June 10, 2004

IntroductioIntroductionn

• Ocean exploration missions Ocean exploration missions conducted during the 19conducted during the 19thth and 20 and 20thth centuries were the first attempt to centuries were the first attempt to document how deep the oceans document how deep the oceans are, to chart key bathymetric are, to chart key bathymetric features, and to identify and study features, and to identify and study marine life. Previously, the oceans marine life. Previously, the oceans were viewed as mere highways for were viewed as mere highways for maritime commerce, void of life maritime commerce, void of life below 1,000 feet. But despite the below 1,000 feet. But despite the important discoveries made during important discoveries made during these missions, we still have only these missions, we still have only a cursory understanding of the a cursory understanding of the deep ocean. deep ocean.

Photo compliments of Ocean Commission

The Value of Ocean ExplorationThe Value of Ocean Exploration

• About 95 percent of the ocean About 95 percent of the ocean

floor remains unexplored, much of floor remains unexplored, much of

it located in harsh environments it located in harsh environments

such as the polar latitudes and the such as the polar latitudes and the

Southern Ocean.Southern Ocean.

Photo compliments of Pew Commission

• Advances in deep-sea technologies have also made it easier to locate Advances in deep-sea technologies have also made it easier to locate shipwrecks and historical artifacts lost in the ocean depths, such as the shipwrecks and historical artifacts lost in the ocean depths, such as the stunning discovery of the stunning discovery of the RMS TitanicRMS Titanic in 1985. in 1985.

Photo compliments of Oceaneering

•Preliminary evidence indicates that immense new energy sources exist in Preliminary evidence indicates that immense new energy sources exist in the deep sea. The amount of carbon found in frozen gas hydrates on the the deep sea. The amount of carbon found in frozen gas hydrates on the seafloor is conservatively estimated to be twice the total amount of carbon seafloor is conservatively estimated to be twice the total amount of carbon existing in all other fossil fuels on Earth.existing in all other fossil fuels on Earth. Photo compliments of MMS

• Ocean exploration also offers an Ocean exploration also offers an unprecedented opportunity to unprecedented opportunity to engage the general public in engage the general public in marine science and conservation.marine science and conservation.

• Given the importance of the ocean Given the importance of the ocean

in human history and in regulating in human history and in regulating

climate change, guaranteeing food climate change, guaranteeing food

security, providing energy security, providing energy

resources, and enabling worldwide resources, and enabling worldwide

commerce, it is astounding that we commerce, it is astounding that we

still know so little about it. The still know so little about it. The

ocean and its depths need to be ocean and its depths need to be

systematically explored to serve systematically explored to serve

the interests of the nation and the interests of the nation and

humankind.humankind.

Photos compliments of Ocean Commission

Growing Calls for a National Growing Calls for a National ProgramProgram

• Ocean exploration remains a relatively minor component of U.S. Ocean exploration remains a relatively minor component of U.S. ocean science and is a missing link in the national strategy to ocean science and is a missing link in the national strategy to better understand Earth’s environment. better understand Earth’s environment.

• U.S. leadership in ocean exploration will increase what we know U.S. leadership in ocean exploration will increase what we know about all aspects of ocean life and resources and make it about all aspects of ocean life and resources and make it possible to reach management decisions based on more possible to reach management decisions based on more complete scientific information.complete scientific information.Photo compliments of Oceaneering

• In 2000, the President’s Panel on Ocean Exploration called for a In 2000, the President’s Panel on Ocean Exploration called for a

robust national ocean exploration program propelled by the spirit of robust national ocean exploration program propelled by the spirit of

discovery. These recommendations led to the establishment of the discovery. These recommendations led to the establishment of the

Office of Exploration within NOAA, at a modest funding level of $4 Office of Exploration within NOAA, at a modest funding level of $4

million in fiscal year 2001, and $14 million in each of fiscal years million in fiscal year 2001, and $14 million in each of fiscal years

2002 and 2003. 2002 and 2003. Photo compliments of Pew Commission

• A 2003 National Research Council report reiterated the need for a A 2003 National Research Council report reiterated the need for a comprehensive national ocean exploration program strongly linked comprehensive national ocean exploration program strongly linked to traditional research, with broad international partnerships, and a to traditional research, with broad international partnerships, and a commitment to educational opportunities.commitment to educational opportunities.

• NOAA and the National Science Foundation (NSF), by virtue of their NOAA and the National Science Foundation (NSF), by virtue of their missions and mandates, are well positioned to lead a global U.S. missions and mandates, are well positioned to lead a global U.S. ocean exploration effort. ocean exploration effort.

Photo compliments of Oceaneering

Ocean Commission Ocean Commission Recommendations:Recommendations:

• Congress should appropriate significant funding for an expanded Congress should appropriate significant funding for an expanded national ocean exploration program. The National Oceanic and national ocean exploration program. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Science Foundation Atmospheric Administration and the National Science Foundation should be designated as the lead agencies, with additional should be designated as the lead agencies, with additional involvement from the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Navy’s involvement from the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research. Public outreach and education should be Office of Naval Research. Public outreach and education should be integral components of the program.integral components of the program.

• An expanded national ocean exploration program will require a An expanded national ocean exploration program will require a budget of approximately $110 million annually, plus additional funds budget of approximately $110 million annually, plus additional funds for required infrastructure.for required infrastructure.