The Minerals Management Service (MMS) Environmental Studies Program (ESP) began in 1973 as a means to gather information to support decision making for offshore oil and gas leasing. To date, the ESP has sponsored more than 350 environmental studies in the Gulf of Mexico, costing over $200 million. The National Environmental Studies Program has contracted for more than $600 million of studies throughout the coastal zone of the United States. These funds have supported studies in all aspects needed for a thorough understanding of the complex nature of the Gulf of Mexico and have aided in the wise protection of the valuable resources of the Gulf of Mexico. Results from these studies are available in MMS Publications.  The MMS uses information from the studies program in judging the potential environmental problems associated with all levels of gas and oil activities.

Contact the Environmental Sciences Section if you wish to nominate a study, or provide other information.