October 13, 1995                           CONTACT:   Tom DeRocco
3:30 P.M. (Eastern)                                (202) 208-3983

                   HURRICANE OPAL - REPORT #5

     To keep you informed about the effect of Hurricane Opal on
offshore energy production in the Gulf of Mexico, the Minerals
Management Service will provide status reports as information
becomes available.


*Gas Production Shut-In: 80 million cubic feet (less than 1%) 

**Oil Production Shut-In: 26,500 barrels (less than 4%)

DAMAGE REPORTS

ø    Some 35 damage reports have been received with little damage
     being reported.   
         
ø    MMS has received nine reports of natural gas pipeline problems
     and those operators have been asked to perform underwater
     inspections.
 

*    Daily Gas Production in the Gulf averages about 13 billion
     cubic feet

**   Daily Oil Production in the Gulf averages about 800,000
     barrels 


NOTE: THIS MAY BE THE FINAL HURRICANE OPAL REPORT.  SHOULD WE
RECEIVE INFORMATION OF ANY CONSEQUENCE (i.e., significant change in
the situation), WE WILL INFORM YOU.      
   
   
                              -MMS-