MMS AWARDS $552K TO UNIV OF TX..GEOLOGIC STUDIES(#30043)

FOR RELEASE:   September 23, 1993       CONTACT:   Carter Cornick
                                                   (202) 208-3983

   MMS AWARDS $552,000 TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, 
              COASTAL STATES - FOR GEOLOGIC STUDIES(#30043)

     The Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service
(MMS) announced today that the University of Texas at Austin will
receive $552,000 in funding to continue a cooperative agreement
between MMS, the university, and participating State Geological
Surveys.  The $552,000 brings MMS' total funding for the agreement
to $5.1 million over ten years.

     "MMS is pleased to continue this cooperative agreement with
the University of Texas and coastal states," said MMS Director Tom
Fry.  "It is an excellent opportunity for us to obtain information
on geologic conditions of coastal areas adjacent to natural gas,
oil and mineral deposits.  This agreement assists us in protecting
the environment by better managing federal offshore energy and
mineral resources."  The studies focus on coastal states' geologic
data related to petroleum deposits, the potential extraction of
marine minerals and environmental geology.

     Individual research projects are conducted by members of the
Continental Margins committee of the Association of American State
Geologists, an organization comprised of geological agencies from
coastal states.  Twenty-three coastal states are eligible to
participate in the program this year.

     The University of Texas' Bureau of Economic Geology, a member
of the Continental Margins Committee, will continue to monitor the
overall program.  Final products are due by December 31, 1995.

     MMS administers federal offshore mineral programs and manages
the federal mineral royalty program.  MMS is committed to achieving
the appropriate balance between protecting the environment and
providing opportunities for the discovery and recovery of critical
energy and mineral resources.

                              -MMS-