MMS TO PROVIDE TRAINING ASSISTANCE TO RUSSIA(#30036)


FOR RELEASE:  August 9, 1993            CONTACT:  Tom DeRocco   
                                                 (202) 208-3983

             MMS TO PROVIDE TRAINING ASSISTANCE TO RUSSIA(#30036)

     The Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service
(MMS) announced today an agreement with the Agency for
International Development (AID) to provide training to Russia's oil
and gas regulators.  MMS will assist the Russians in developing a
regulatory program to work with the private sector in the
development of their oil and gas resources in an environmentally
sound manner.

     MMS has the responsibility in the United States for managing
the offshore oil, gas and mineral resources of the outer
continental shelf; the agency also collects and disburses all
mineral revenues accruing from onshore and offshore lands belonging
to the federal government as well as native lands--about $4 billion
annually.

     "Russia has significant oil resources," said MMS Director Tom
Fry, "but as an emerging democracy, they have a critical need for
an institutional framework to attract investment to develop those
resources and to do so in an environmentally responsible manner.

     "MMS is delighted to have this opportunity to share what we
have learned about environmental safety management, royalty
collection, and energy production," continued Fry.  "As government
regulators, we also know about working with the private sector."

     Fry said the assistance will be provided in phases over
several years with training likely to be given both in the U.S. and
Russia.  Currently, the MMS training program contains six teaching
modules: assessing environmental information; evaluating mineral
resources; conveying exploration and development rights; managing
operations; managing revenues; and managing information.

     "We will modify our training program as necessary," said Fry. 
"The goal is to show Russian regulators how they can work with the
private sector to enhance environmental and production goals."

     Several organizations within the Russian Federation, including
the Tyumen Regional Executive Council, the Tyumen Regional
Committee of Environment Control, and the Far East Branch of the
Russian Academy of Sciences and associated agencies, have expressed
interest in receiving technical assistance from the MMS.
                                 -MMS-