FOR RELEASE:  April 11, 1994            CONTACT:  John Barclay
                                                  (202) 208-3983


  DIAMOND OFFSHORE DRILLING WINS MMS'S SAFETY EXCELLENCE AWARD
(#40027)


     Officials of the Interior Department's Minerals Management
Service (MMS) today awarded its 1993 Safety Award for Excellence
(SAFE) to Diamond Offshore Drilling.

     This is the first year Diamond has won the award, which
recognizes the company's safety records, technical procedures and
corporate commitment to protection of the environment during
offshore natural gas and oil operations.

     The SAFE award program, instituted in 1983, recognizes and
commends companies that put extra emphasis on operating safely
and without pollution.  SAFE winners typically emphasize training
and motivation for their personnel and take extra steps to
enhance safety and environmental protection.

     "I'm happy to recognize the strong commitment Diamond has to
protection of the ocean environment and to safe offshore natural
gas and oil operations," said MMS Director Tom Fry.  Fry
presented the award on behalf of Interior Secretary Bruce
Babbitt.  "A company earning this award proves that it has made
environmental protection and safe operations a kingpin of its
corporate ethic," he said.

     The award was presented during an awards luncheon of the
National Ocean Industries Association annual meeting, held today
in Washington, D.C.

     MMS selects one operator in each of its 12 Outer Continental
Shelf Operational Districts, and selects the national SAFE award
winner from those district winners.  Criteria include accuracy of
record-keeping, equipment maintenance, cooperation with MMS and
the utilization of new technology.

                              -MMS-

Subject: PR-4/11/94 SAFE Award/Diamond Offshore Drilling Wins MMS's
Safety Excellence Award (#40027)