FOR RELEASE: April 4, 1995                   CONTACT:  Lee Scurry
                                                    (202)208-3983

                 MMS ANNOUNCES DIAMOND OFFSHORE AS 1994
              NATIONAL SAFETY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE WINNER 


     The U.S. Department of the Interior's Minerals Management
Service (MMS) today awarded the 1994 National Safety Award for
Excellence (SAFE) to Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., cited
specifically for the well drilling rig Ocean Crusader, MMS
officials announced.

     "MMS is proud to recognize Diamond Offshore as a model
offshore drilling company," said MMS Director Cynthia Quarterman. 
"In fact, we are especially pleased because this is their second
consecutive year to win the National SAFE Award.  The competition
among the companies for this award is very intense and it takes a
high degree of diligence and effort to be selected.  A repeat win
is highly commendable."  Last year the rig Ocean King was cited
for recognition.  

     The award was presented by Assistant Secretary for Land and
Minerals Management Bob Armstrong during a workshop at the
National Ocean Industries Association's annual meeting, held in
Washington, DC.

     "From January 1 to November 30, 1994, MMS conducted 13
inspections on Ocean Crusader without a single incident of
noncompliance," Armstrong said.  "Diamond Offshore displays
superior safety awareness and pollution prevention, and sets a
high standard for voluntary compliance.  Moreover, they exhibit a
strong commitment to their employees and to the environment as a
whole.

     "Diamond Offshore also encourages excellent day-to-day
operations including good housekeeping, daily environmental
audits, and well-trained, knowledgeable personnel," he said.

     Each of MMS' six District offices may select up to four
companies for District SAFE awards; MMS selects the National SAFE
award winner from those district winners.  This year there were
four companies nominated for the National award.  Diamond
Offshore qualified by receiving the Houma District SAFE Award. 
Criteria include accuracy of record keeping, equipment
maintenance, cooperation with MMS and the use of new technology.

     MMS is the federal agency that manages and regulates the
nation's natural gas, oil and other mineral resources on the OCS,
and collects and distributes revenues from offshore federal
mineral leases and from onshore mineral leases on federal and
Indian lands.
                                   -MMS-