MMS ADDS INDUSTRY PARTNERS TO REENGINEERING EFFORT

    The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) today announced that it has added partners from industry to the implementation of its reengineered business processes.

    MMS has reached agreements with six companies to become full working partners with the Solid Minerals Operational Model Team currently testing the agency’s reengineering proposals. They are: BHP New Mexico Coal, Cyprus Amax Minerals Company, Kennecott Energy Company, PacifiCorp, Peabody Group and Westmoreland Resources, Inc. These companies will join the Bureau of Land Management, the States of Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming, and the Navajo Nation and Crow Tribes who have been working with MMS since November.

    Already on the team’s agenda is a pilot test of proposed new production and sales reports. Results will be compared to existing procedures in a period of parallel reporting.

    "These new partnerships will help MMS refine its business processes, delineate reporting requirements and leverage information technology to achieve business objectives to which we are committed," stated MMS Director, Cynthia Quarterman.

    Lucy Querques Denett, Associate Director for Royalty Management added, "Our partners bring experience, cutting-edge technology and a genuine desire to make this important relationship work better now and in the future."

    In a show of support, Kent Goates, Vice President of Finance and Control for Kennecott Energy Company said, "We believe it is beneficial to work with the MMS in the development of their new business process."

    MMS recently issued its Road Map to the 21st Century, a publication which presents a new concept of Royalty Management Program operations and describes the actions necessary to move from concept to reality over the next three years. Through its reengineering effort RMP is attempting to:

The agency has deployed several multi disciplinary teams to apply these concepts in a live, operational environment.

The Roadmap to the 21st Century may be viewed on the MMS website at www.rmp.mms.gov/reengweb/mmsrmp.htm.