FOR RELEASE:   March 25, 1994                CONTACT: Tom DeRocco
                                                   (202) 208-3983


         MMS ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF 1993 OCS ANNUAL REVIEW (#40022)

     The Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service
(MMS) today released the results of the 1993 Annual Review of the
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Natural Gas and Oil 5-Year Program
(mid-1992 to mid-1997).

     Federal law requires the Secretary to review an approved OCS
5-year program at least once a year.  The current program was
approved on June 30, 1992, after 3 years of analysis of the factors
specified in the law and consideration of the numerous comments and
recommendations of interested and affected parties.

     MMS Director Tom Fry reported that of the 18 sales scheduled
under the current program, 3 had been held--2 in the Western Gulf
of Mexico (GOM) and 1 in the Central GOM.  Annual sales are
scheduled in both areas.  Sales also are under consideration off
Alaska, while sales scheduled for the Mid- and South Atlantic and
Eastern GOM remain under Congressional moratoria for a second year.

     Fry said that during the Annual Review, "MMS had found no new
scientific/technical information that would require a fundamental
change in the current program."  He noted, however, that such a
finding in no way means that the remaining sales are a foregone
conclusion.

     Fry echoed Babbitt's commitment to consultation and
consideration of the views of all the constituents of the program. 
"The Department will look at the unique aspects of each sale area
on a case-by-case basis," he said.  "Any decisions that are made
will be based on good science and consideration of the views of all
concerned."

                              -MMS-
Subject: PR-3/25/94 5-Year Plan/MMS Announces Results of 1993 OCS
Annual Review (#40022)