The objective was to provide guidance for studies planning for the next five years. The workshop began with the premise that much has been accomplished during the last decade of MMS socioeconomic research and that it is time to assess future directions for the program. The workshop sought advice, rather than consensus, on key questions, useful analytical approaches, and critical information needs.

The report is providing current awareness in all aspects of offshore oil and gas development. Sixteen quarterly issues were prepared from January 2001 to October 2004 that contained approximately 2,250 citations.