new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/progs/Get_image_offset/get_image_offset.c
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+#include <minc.h>
+#include <local_nc.h>
+
+#define public
+
+public long get_image_offset(int cdfid);
+
+int main(int argc, char *argv[])
+{
+   int cdfid;
+   long offset;
+
+   /* Check arguments */
+   if (argc != 2) {
+      (void) fprintf(stderr, "Usage: %s <filename.mnc>\n", argv[0]);
+      return -1;
+   }
+
+   /* Open minc file */
+   cdfid = ncopen(argv[1], NC_NOWRITE);
+
+   /* Get the offset */
+   offset = get_image_offset(cdfid);
+   if (offset == -1) {
+      (void) fprintf(stderr, "Error getting offset to image in file %s\n",
+                     argv[1]);
+      return -1;
+   }
+
+   (void) printf("%ld\n", offset);
+
+   return 0;
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------- MNI Header -----------------------------------
+@NAME       : get_image_offset
+@INPUT      : path - name of minc file
+@OUTPUT     : (none)
+@RETURNS    : offset to image data in minc file or MI_ERROR (-1) if an
+              error occurs.
+@DESCRIPTION: Function to return the offset to the image data in a minc file.
+              WARNING: This function may be hazardous to your health since
+              it directly accesses NetCDF internals!!!!! Use at your own
+              risk.
+@METHOD     : 
+@GLOBALS    : 
+@CALLS      : 
+@CREATED    : September 9, 1994 (Peter Neelin)
+@MODIFIED   : 
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+public long get_image_offset(int cdfid)
+{
+   int imgid;
+   NC *handle;
+   NC_var *vp;
+
+   imgid = ncvarid(cdfid, MIimage);
+   if (imgid == MI_ERROR) return MI_ERROR;
+
+   handle = NC_check_id(cdfid);
+   if (handle == NULL) return MI_ERROR;
+
+   vp = NC_hlookupvar(handle, imgid);
+   if (vp == NULL) return MI_ERROR;
+
+   return (long) vp->begin;
+}
+