FOR RELEASE: December 8, 1993           CONTACT:  John Barclay
                                                  (202) 208-3983

                       **FEATURE ARTICLE**

  YEAR-END ROUNDUP ARTICLE FOR SEA TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE (#30056)

                           By Tom Fry
           Director, U.S. Minerals Management Service

     Times are changing on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). 
At the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS), we're designing an
OCS program that adapts to those changes and works to the benefit
of everyone.  And we're doing it with your help.

     Such a program can't be designed without talking to (and, more
importantly, listening to) the nation's stakeholders.  If we want
to satisfy the public, the energy industry and our environmental
and economic needs, we must use the ideas of experts in each of
those sectors.  We must build those ideas into the solutions we
craft.  If you've  watched us this past year, you've seen we've
done just that:

     --We've sought public comment on the design of our leasing
program in the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico.  We want the
opinions of everyone concerned.  Is the present system the best
that can be developed?  What needs strengthening?  What can we do
to boost environmental protection, assure a fair return to the
Treasury, strengthen the energy industry and take care of the
concerns of area residents?  

     --We've increased our drive to obtain the best scientific
information about areas in which we permit activities.  We'll allow
activities only where good science tells us we can do so without
harming the environment.  Some areas, such as the Florida Keys and
Bristol Bay, have been put off limits to offshore oil and gas
activity because of their sensitivity.  We'll review future
activities on a case-by-case basis, taking your ideas and concerns
into account.

     --We're asking all companies, large and small, to tell us how
they'll ensure safety and environmental care in their operations. 
We're urging them to adopt API Recommended Practices (RP 75) and to
develop a Safety and Environmental Management Program (SEMP).  It's
more sensible to have companies design their own effective programs
for safety and the environment than to impose strict Federal
regulations and compliance inspections.

     --We're examining incentives to encourage deep-water
operations, and looking at ways to recover these valuable oil and
gas resources in a manner that's environmentally safe and
economically sound.

     --We're seeking opinions on how to design regulations for the
Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which calls for increased financial
responsibility in case of oil spills.  We need your help to craft
rules that will maintain a healthy domestic industry with
dependable jobs while assuring that any spills are cleaned up by
those responsible for them.  We're conducting workshops around the
country to tell people about the law and to get their ideas on how
to implement it fairly.

     --We've issued a rule requiring an increased level of
insurance to guarantee that lease abandonment and site clearance
costs will be borne by the company, not the American public.  Our
commitment to the continued health of the marine environment
requires that depleted oil and gas leases be properly plugged and
cleared of debris.  This commitment, which is shared by most of the
offshore industry, will build confidence in the OCS program.

     -- We are reassessing the ability of older structures to
sustain safe operations and ensure environmental quality.  While
we're developing the regulations to do that, we're not doing it in
a vacuum.  We're seeking ideas from offshore engineers about
assessment and re-qualification of offshore platforms.  We're
required to ensure that offshore operations are clean and safe, and
we want the views of those who know those operations best.

     Two somewhat new MMS efforts, our International Program and
our Sand and Gravel Program, will grow further during 1994:

     --The U.S. has set a world standard for offshore safety, sound
environmental standards and expertise in royalty collection.  Other
countries seek to benefit from our experience and we're doing what
we can to help them.  MMS is currently working with Hungary and
Russia to build a framework for sustainable, private sector
development while ensuring environmental quality.  We've also
reached agreements with counterpart agencies in Australia, Canada,
the United Kingdom, Norway and Japan.

     --We've reached agreements with most East Coast states to
investigate the feasibility of using offshore sand and gravel--for
the construction industry in New England and for beach restoration
from New Jersey through South Carolina.  We are also working with
Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama on similar assessments.

     In short, we at MMS are changing the way we do business. 
We're listening, testing old assumptions, melding safety,
environmental concerns, industry needs and public opinion into a
strong program with a sound future.  We're determined to reach that
objective, and to do it with your advice and help.
                              -MMS-

Subject: PR-12/8/93 Sea Technology Mag./FEATURE ARTICLE--Year-End
Roundup Article for Sea Technology Magazine (#30056)