U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region

Minerals Management Service to Publish Information on OCS Civil Penalties Paid

Today, the U.S. Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS) published in the Federal Register a summary of civil penalties paid September 1, 1997 - December 31, 1997, for violations occurring in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The summary highlights the identity of the party, the regulation violated, and the amount paid.

The MMS is responsible for ensuring safe and clean offshore operations in the OCS. The civil penalty process is designed to encourage companies to comply with the statutes and regulations by pursuing, assessing, and collecting penalties. The penalties summary provides information to the public on violations of special concern in OCS operations and provides an additional incentive for safe and environmentally sound operations.

The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 expanded and strengthened MMS's authority to impose penalties for violating its regulations. Section 8201 of OPA 90 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to assess a civil penalty without providing notice and time for corrective action where a failure to comply with applicable regulations results in a threat of serious, irreparable, or immediate harm or damage to human life or the environment.

Between August 18, 1990, and December 31, 1997, MMS has initiated 170 compliance reviews, which resulted in 170 civil penalty cases; assessed 102 civil penalties; and collected over $1,398,820 in fines.

A quarterly update of this list and additional information will be posted on the MMS webpage at http://www.mms.gov. The civil penalties update is located under Managing Offshore Resources- National-Inspection and Enforcement Activities.

The MMS is the Federal Agency that manages and regulates the Nation's natural gas, oil, and other mineral resources on the OCS, and collects, accounts for, and disburses about $6 billion yearly in revenues from offshore Federal mineral leases and from onshore mineral leases on Federal and Indian lands.

Additional information about YOTO can be found at www.yoto.com.

-MMS-GOM-

MMS's Website Address: www.mms.gov
MMS's 24-hour Fax-on-Demand Service: (202) 219-1703