 Welcome!
Welcome to the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Region of the
Minerals Management Service (MMS). MMS is a bureau of the Department of the
Interior. Our mission is to manage the mineral resources of the Outer
Continental Shelf in an environmentally sound and safe manner.
Please read the
Regional Director's Page for a brief overview
of activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
MMS discusses Preparations
for 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season
NEW ORLEANS — Minerals Management Service (MMS) officials will lead a media
forum on Thursday, May 15, at 1 p.m. in Houston, Texas. (05/07/2008)
Advances in Oil and Gas Leasing, Drilling, and Production
Continue in Deepwater Gulf of Mexico
HOUSTON — With approximately 72 percent of the Gulf of Mexico’s oil production coming from
wells drilled in 1,000 feet (305 meters) of water or greater, advancement into deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM)
continues as offshore operators meet the challenges presented in exploring and developing this energy
frontier. (05/05/2008)
MMS Holds Public Hearings on
Draft Supplemental Environmental Statement
New acreage included in Central Sale Area
NEW ORLEANS — The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has scheduled
public hearings to accept comments on a draft supplemental environmental impact
statement (SEIS) on seven proposed oil and gas sales in the Gulf of Mexico
through 2012. (05/01/2008)
MMS Director Randall Luthi to
Release Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Report at Offshore Technology Conference 2008
NEW ORLEANS — Minerals Management Service (MMS) Director Randall
Luthi will hold a press conference on Monday, May 5, at 2 p.m. during the
Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas. (04/30/2008)
MMS Makes Technical
Correction to Alternative Energy Federal Register Notice
Revises Table and Extends Comment Period
WASHINGTON -- The Department of the Interior’s
Minerals Management Service today issued a technical correction to the Federal
Register Notice concerning Proposed Limited Alternative Energy Leases on the
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and Initiation of Coordination and Consultation. (04/30/2008)
Minerals Management Service
Approves Development Plans for First Use of Floating Production Storage
Offloading Facility in Gulf of Mexico
Cascade-Chinook Project will use FPSO in deepwater Gulf of Mexico
NEW ORLEANS — Minerals Management Service’s Gulf of Mexico Region
approved today development plans for the Cascade-Chinook oil and natural gas
project located in the Walker Ridge area of the Gulf of Mexico, approximately
165 miles offshore Louisiana in 8,200 feet of water. (04/29/2008)
MMS Issues
Lease Form for Alternative Energy Resource Data Collection and Technology
Testing Activities
WASHINGTON - The Minerals Management Service
(MMS) has issued the lease form that, with OMB approval, it will use to
authorize alternative energy resource data collection and technology testing for
activities permitted under the Department’s interim policy announced in November
last year. (04/21/2008)
MMS Takes
Major Step Forward on Offshore Alternative Energy
Issues Notice to Determine Competitive Interest in Nominated
Areas
WASHINGTON -- The Department of the Interior’s
Minerals Management Service today designated five areas on the Outer Continental
Shelf as priority areas for alternative energy research in federal waters. (04/17/2008)
MMS Rule
Enhances Hurricane Safety of Offshore Platforms
Design and Assessment Criteria Strengthened
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of the
Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) issued a final rule in today’s
Federal Register
to improve the survivability of offshore platforms and increase environmental
safety during hurricane events. (04/15/2008)
MMS Honors
Best in Industry
HOUSTON - More than 700 attendees joined Minerals
Management Service (MMS) today in Houston to recognize companies and individuals
for achievements in offshore safety and revenue management. (04/10/2008)
MMS Reports
Annual Civil Penalties Collections
WASHINGTON - The Minerals Management Service has issued a
Federal Register Notice announcing the civil penalties that were assessed for
calendar year 2007 for violations of the provisions of the Outer Continental
Shelf Lands Act. (04/01/2008)
MMS Issues
Proposed Notice of Western Gulf Lease Sale 207
NEW ORLEANS – The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has
scheduled the next oil and gas lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico. (03/25/2008)
Oil and Gas Lease Sales in
Gulf of Mexico Attract $3.7 Billion
Sales Launch Enhanced Revenue Sharing Program, Increased
Royalty Rates; Sale 206 Sets Record for Highest Total in High Bids
NEW ORLEANS — Two federal sales of offshore oil
and natural gas leases in the Eastern and Central Gulf of Mexico attracted more
than $3.7 billion in high bids today, inaugurating enhanced revenue sharing with
oil and gas producing Gulf states, instituting higher royalty rates and
underscoring the region’s continuing importance as a vital source of domestic
energy production for the nation. (03/19/2008)
MMS Proposes Bonus or Royalty
Credits for Relinquishing Eligible Leases
Certain Leases Offshore Florida Eligible for Credit Exchange
for Use in Gulf of Mexico
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Minerals
Management Service (MMS) is proposing to amend its
regulations to provide a credit to lessees who relinquish certain eligible leases in the Gulf of Mexico. (02/05/2008)
Secrets of Historic Shipwreck
Intrigue MMS Archaeologists
Symposium Looks at First Analysis of 200-year-old Shipwreck in
Gulf of Mexico
NEW ORLEANS — Minerals Management Service (MMS) archaeologists
who have been investigating the site of a historic shipwreck in the deepwater
Gulf of Mexico will present preliminary findings at the 2008 Society for
Historical Archaeology Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology this
week in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (01/11/2008)
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Advances in Oil and Gas
Leasing, Drilling and Production Continue in Deepwater Gulf of Mexico
 Latest
Deepwater Gulf of Mexico Report Presents 2007 Industry Highlights
HOUSTON – With approximately 72 percent of
the Gulf of Mexico’s oil production coming from wells drilled in 1,000 feet (305
meters) of water or greater, advancement into deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM)
continues as offshore operators meet the challenges presented in exploring and
developing this energy frontier.
(05/05/2008)
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 MMS Ocean Science Magazine Explores the Depths of Ocean Research
MMS Ocean Science continues
to highlight both new and existing programs at MMS. From the Coastal Impact
Assistance Program to Rigs-to-Reefs, MMS actively pursues its ongoing mission of
protecting the ocean environment. (04/09/2008)
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