FOR RELEASE:  September 30, 1994             CONTACT:    Lee Scurry
                                                     (202) 208-3983
                                                            or
                                                     Barney Congdon
                                                     (504) 736-2595
      
      MMS AWARDS $134,548 TO UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA (#40069)

       The U.S. Department of the Interior's Minerals Management
Service (MMS) has awarded $134,548 to the University of South
Florida (USF) to conduct a Northeastern Gulf of Mexico Satellite
Oceanography Study, MMS officials announced today.

       Researchers will compile satellite remote sensing data from
the eastern Gulf of Mexico into an atlas of surface circulation
features.  The study will utilize several existing archives of
satellite images presently available at regional laboratories --
principally a federally-sponsored repository of images at USF.

       "Cooperative agreements, such as this one, provide all
interested parties with valuable environmental and scientific
information needed in making offshore resource decisions," MMS
Acting Director Cynthia Quarterman said.

       "The data from this project have an immediate use in the
planning of future physical oceanography programs," Quarterman
said, "and provide valuable information to the decisionmaking
process on proposed developmental drilling in the areas in
question."

       The 19-month study effort will take place at USF's campus in
St. Petersburg, FL.

       MMS administers the federal offshore minerals program and
manages the mineral royalty collection program for federal and
Indian lands.

                                         -MMS-

Subject: PR-9/30/94 University of South Florida/MMS Awards $134,548
to University of South Florida (#40069)