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This page last updated:
October 14, 2004


MMS Securing Ocean Energy & Economic Value for AmericaWelcome!

Welcome to the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Region of the Minerals Management Service (MMS). MMS is a bureau of the Department of the Interior. Our mission is to manage the mineral resources of the Outer Continental Shelf in an environmentally sound and safe manner.  Please read the Director's Page for a brief overview of activities in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Gulf Region's Homepage also contains information about activities offshore the Atlantic coast.


MMS to Hold Structural Assessment Process Dissemination Meeting

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) will hold a Structural Assessment Process Dissemination Meeting on the proposed changes to American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice (API RP) 2A Section 17 on October 14, 2004.  The meeting will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon at the MMS Gulf of Mexico Regional Office, 1201 Elmwood Park Blvd, New Orleans. (09/29/2004)


MMS Provides New Encouragement for Deep Gas

MMS has issued a new Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) to further encourage the exploration for deep gas on the shelf area of the Gulf of Mexico at ultra-deep depths, “NTL 2004-G16, Suspension of Operations (SOO’s) for Drilling Ultra-Deep Wells Under Salt Sheets.”  (08/19/2004)


Western Gulf of Mexico Sale 192 Attracts $171,387,285 in High Bids

Deep gas remained an important focus of Western Gulf of Mexico Sale 192 held in New Orleans today.  The offshore oil and natural gas lease sale, held by the Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service, attracted $171,387,285 in high bids.  Fifty-four companies participated in the sale, which offered 3,907 tracts comprising approximately 21.2 million acres offshore Texas and Louisiana.  The MMS received 421 bids on 351 tracts.  Bids totaled $197,395,164.  (08/18/2004)


MMS Completes Environmental Review of Seismic Activities and Effects on Marine Mammals

The Minerals Management Service has announced the completion of an environmental assessment (EA) evaluating the potential environmental impacts of geological and geophysical (G&G) activities in the Gulf of Mexico.  The EA analyzed the best available information on the effects of seismic surveys on marine resources, and in particular marine mammals, including sperm whales.  Hundreds of documents were reviewed from around the world.  (08/03/2004)


WWII Shipwrecks May Hold Key to Biological Mysteries of the Deep - MMS and NOAA Scientists Team Up with Academic and Industry Professionals to Study Gulf Shipwrecks

A team of world-renowned, multidisciplinary scientists representing the federal government, academia, and industry will soon begin a biological and archaeological investigation of World War II shipwrecks in the deep waters of the Gulf.  (07/22/2004)

Click on the news release for a link to
the PAST Foundation for
 * * * Daily Updates from Scientists * * *  
* * * Pictures * * *
* * * Video * * *


Interior of the conning tower of the WWII German submarine U-166

Online Photo Gallery


Make plans to attend the Gulf of Mexico Region's 23rd Information Transfer Meeting, January 11-13, 2005 in Kenner, LA.

Hurricane Ivan Evacuation and Production Shut-in Statistics as of Thursday, October 14, 2004

MMS Updates Damage Assessment From Hurricane Ivan (10/08/2004)

Coastal Marine Institute Now Available

A Cooperative Agreement between Minerals Management Service and Louisiana State University (LSU) was established in 1993 to allow for partnering between the State and MMS on scientific research of interest to both. The agreement takes advantage of local scientific expertise at LSU as well as providing a source of funding for graduate student projects. Thus far, over 100 research projects have been funded through this program. The website describes the program and lists all ongoing and completed projects.
  (08/05/2004)


Deepwater Gulf of Mexico 2004: America’s Expanding Frontier

The latest edition of the biennial publication Deepwater Gulf of Mexico 2004: America’s Expanding Frontier (OCS Report MMS 2004-021) has been released.  The report details the extraordinary growth of oil and gas industry activity in the deepwater (1,000 ft of water or more) Gulf over the past twelve years.   (05/05/2004)


MMS Ocean Science Magazine Explores the Depths of Ocean Research

In this issue you will learn about the study of the movement of water, i.e. physical oceanography.  The research funded through MMS’ Environmental Studies Program includes more than $200 million just to understand ocean currents, both at the surface and at depth.  You will learn about one project by high school students, that examined surface currents using drifters.  What is a drifter?  You can find out in this issue.  (09/29/2004)


If this is your first visit to the Gulf of Mexico Region web, be sure to check out the Navigation Tips page.

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