The NewsRoom
Release: #3287
Date: June 21, 2005

Securing Offshore Oil & Gas Production in the 2005 Hurricane Season

WASHINGTON- The 2004 hurricane season brought home to the American public the importance of oil and gas resources in the Gulf of Mexico. The Minerals Management Service is working diligently to ensure that all systems are in place to maintain continuity of oil and gas supplies during the 2005 season, and once again emerge with no loss of life or significant pollution. This is particularly important because 2005 is anticipated to be another above average hurricane season.

“MMS manages the design and approval of extensive offshore drilling structures in the Gulf of Mexico,” said Chris Oynes, Regional Director, Gulf of Mexico Region. “It is our goal to ensure the safety of workers, protect the environment from oil spills and prevent the long-term disruption of gas and oil production.”

MMS manages offshore activities that generate 30 percent of America’s domestic oil and 21 percent of America’s domestic natural gas. The agency also collects over $8 billion in annual revenues for the nation, states and American Indians.

“The key points are preparedness and safety. Through the dedicated work of MMS and the strong partnerships with the U.S. Coast Guard, other government agencies and the oil and gas industry, we will do our best to prepare for this storm season,” said Tom Readinger, Associate Director, Offshore Energy and Minerals Management.

Last year’s hurricane season serves as an example of what has been accomplished. Despite the 140 miles per hour winds of Hurricane Ivan, there was no loss of life and no significant pollution. However, there was significant damage to platforms and pipelines, and the MMS has taken a number of steps to integrate lessons learned into future planning. MMS will continue to ensure that the safe, clean operation of the offshore industry will be able to withstand even hurricanes like Ivan.

MMS, part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, oversees 1.76 billion acres of the Outer Continental Shelf, managing offshore energy and minerals while protecting the human, marine, and coastal environments through advanced science and technology research. The OCS provides 30 percent of oil and 23 percent of natural gas produced domestically, and sand used for coastal restoration. MMS collects, accounts for, and disburses mineral revenues from Federal and American Indian lands, with Fiscal Year 2004 disbursements of approximately $8 billion and more than $143 billion since 1982. The Land and Water Conservation Fund, which pays for cooperative conservation, grants to states, and Federal land acquisition, gets nearly $1 billion a year.

Relevant Web Site:

     MMS Main Website
     Hurricane and Tropical Storm Procedures PDF
    Safety Devices PDF
     MMS Funds Studies for Hurricane Ivan Impact in the Gulf of Mexico PDF
    MMS, Coast Guard, and Oil & Gas Industry Information Exchange
     Path of Hurricane Ivan Effects PDF
          Percentage of GOM Daily Shut-in Production for Hurricane Ivan PowerPoint
     Pollution Prevention & Safety Value PowerPoint

Media Contacts:
   Gary Strasburg  (202) 208-3985

MMS: Securing Ocean Energy & Economic Value for America
U.S. Department of the Interior
 

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