October 10, 1995                             CONTACT: Tom DeRocco
4:30 P.M. (Eastern)                                (202) 208-3983

                        HURRICANE OPAL - REPORT #4

  To keep you informed about the effect of Hurricane Opal on
offshore energy production in the Gulf of Mexico, the Minerals
Management Service will provide status reports as information
becomes available.


*Gas Production Shut-In: 80 million cubic feet (less than 1%) 

**Oil Production Shut-In: 26,500 barrels (less than 3%)
   

DAMAGE REPORTS

o    At this time, 25-30 damage reports have been received with
     little damage being reported. Additional reports are
     expected as operators get crews out to platforms and
     drilling rigs to conduct inspections.  
         
o    MMS has received nine reports of natural gas pipeline
     problems 

o    MMS will require underwater inspections on nine platforms 



* Daily Gas Production in the Gulf averages about 13 billion
cubic feet

** Daily Oil Production in the Gulf averages about 800,000
barrels platforms. 


NOTE: THE NEXT HURRICANE OPAL REPORT WILL BE ISSUED WHEN WE
OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -- THAT MAY BE TOMORROW, OR IT
COULD BE LATER IN THE WEEK.    
                                                                  



                                   -MMS-