Fuel Resources in the Atlantic Ocean: Oil, Gas, Wind, and Minerals

The Atlantic Ocean hosts significant energy and mineral resources:

Fossil Fuels

• North Sea (UK, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark): Mature province; ~50B barrels oil + 9 Tcf gas produced; still active.
• Gulf of Mexico (US, Mexico): Deepwater giants (Perdido, Stones); major US production.
• Caribbean Sea: Emerging (Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago) — massive recent discoveries.
• Campos & Santos Basins (Brazil): Pre-salt giants (Lula, Búzios); deepwater, high output.
• West Africa (Nigeria, Angola, Ghana): Major exporters; deepwater growth.

Renewable Energy

• Offshore Wind: Europe leader (UK, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark); US ramping up (Vineyard Wind, Empire Wind). Best resource: North Sea, Baltic, US Northeast.
• Tidal & Wave: Pilot projects (France, UK, Canada); predictable but high cost.
• Floating Solar: Emerging (Portugal, Netherlands).

Minerals

• Aggregates: Sand, gravel (construction, beach nourishment) — heavily dredged (North Sea, US East Coast).
• Heavy Mineral Sands: Titanium, zircon, rare earths (offshore Namibia, South Africa, US Southeast).
• Phosphorites: Fertilizer (offshore Peru, Namibia, Chatham Rise).
• Polymetallic Nodules/Crusts: Deep-sea (Mid-Atlantic Ridge); Co, Ni, Mn, REEs — exploration phase.

Sustainable management (UNCLOS, ISA, regional bodies) is critical as demand grows.