FOR RELEASE: November 22, 1995               CONTACT: Tom DeRocco
                                                   (202) 208-3983
                                                   Barney Congdon
                                                   (504) 736-2595


                      MMS SCHEDULES TRAINING PROGRAM
              FOR WELL-CONTROL AND PRODUCTION-SAFETY SYSTEMS


     The U.S. Department of the Interior's Minerals Management
Service (MMS) has announced that it will hold a public workshop
and pilot testing training on well-control and production-safety
systems on December 6, 1995, at the MMS Gulf of Mexico Regional
Office in New Orleans.

     "The program, designed for natural gas, oil and sulphur
lessee and contract operators engaged in operations in the Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS), will allow MMS to assess the training
and testing received by employees of OCS lessee and contract
operators," said MMS Director Cynthia Quarterman.

     "MMS is working to simplify the training options.  We want
to provide the flexibility to use alternative training methods,
and provide the option to allow third parties to certify training
programs," Quarterman added.

     The MMS training program follows a November 2, 1995, Federal
Register notice setting forth proposed revisions to current
regulations.  Among other elements, that notice outlined:

     *    the type and frequency of training lessees and
          contractors must obtain for their employees;
     *    the documentation to be provided to employees;
     *    training guidelines and exceptions;
     *    alternative training methods and certification of
          training programs;
     *    testing methodology; and,
     *    reporting requirements.
                                  (more)
     The December 6 program will include a session on the
proposal to allow third parties to accredit worker training
programs; currently, MMS accredits these programs.  The MMS also
will present a summary of the third-party accreditation comments
received in response to a Federal Register notice published
August 5, 1994.  These options range from MMS accrediting third
parties to having non-profit organizations accredit them.  The
workshop will provide an additional opportunity to discuss
third-party options.  

     There will be no admission fee for the program.  Seating is
limited, however, and registration will be on a first-come,
first-seated basis.  To register, contact Wilbon Rhome,
Information and Training Branch, at (703) 787-1587 or FAX (703)
787-1575.

     The program will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 1201
Elmwood Park Boulevard (Rooms 111 and 115), New Orleans,
Louisiana.

     The MMS is the federal agency that manages the Nation's
natural gas, oil and other mineral resources on the OCS, and
collects, accounts for and disburses about $4 billion yearly in
revenues from offshore federal mineral leases and from onshore
mineral leases on federal and Indian lands.

                                   -MMS-