FOR RELEASE: April 5, 1993              CONTACT:  Tom DeRocco
                                                  (202) 208-3983

CONOCO AND BP RECOGNIZED FOR OFFSHORE SAFETY EXCELLENCE (#30017)

     The Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service
(MMS) today presented its 1992 Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE)
to Conoco, Inc., and BP Exploration, Inc.  The event marked
Conoco's third consecutive SAFE Award and BP's first.

     The prestigious award recognizes the two companies' safety
records, technical procedures and corporate commitment to
protection of the environment while conducting offshore natural gas
and oil operations.

     This is the first year two companies have shared the award.

     "On Secretary Bruce Babbitt's behalf, I'm happy to recognize
the obvious commitment these two companies have made to strong
protection of our ocean environment and to safe offshore oil and
natural gas operations in general," said Carolita Kallaur, Acting
Director of MMS.  "Any company earning this award has demonstrated
that it has made environmental protection an important part of its
corporate ethic.   Winning three consecutive times, as Conoco has,
proves that this ethic is a real driving force within the company."

     MMS established the SAFE award in 1983 to recognize and
commend operating companies that expend extra effort to conduct
operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in a safe and
environmentally sensitive manner.  The award is presented each year
at the Washington, D.C., convention of the National Ocean
Industries Association.

     Conoco qualified for the award by its selection as recipient
of the Lafayette, Louisiana District SAFE award for the first six
months of 2992.  The citation lauds the company for training
requirements which "...far exceed those of the OCS Regulations. 
This is evident in the knowledge Conoco, Inc.'s personnel display
in conducting day-to-day operations."

     BP was the winner of two 1992 New Orleans, Louisiana District
SAFE awards for its operations for the first six months of last
year.  One award was for its drilling activities; the other covered
its production operations.  "By receiving two District Awards," the
citation says, "BP Exploration, Inc. has demonstrated an across-
the-board commitment to safety and pollution prevention."

     MMS selects one operator in each of its 12 OCS Operational
Districts and then chooses the national SAFE award winner from the
District winners.  Criteria for nominees include accuracy of
record-keeping, equipment maintenance, cooperation with MMS and
utilization of new technology.
                              -MMS-
Subject: PR-2/23/94 SAFE92/Conoco & BP Awarded 1992 SAFE (#30017)