MMS Honors Best in Industry

U.S. Department of the Interior
Minerals Management Service
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region

NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE:	March 18, 2002	Barney Congdon
		(504) 736-2595
		Caryl Fagot
		(504) 736-2590
		Debra Winbush
		(504) 736-2597

MMS Honors Best in Industry

The best in the oil and natural gas industry will be recognized for safe operations, environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility at the annual Minerals Management Service Industry Awards Program and Luncheon April 11, 2002.

“We must balance the critical search for offshore energy and mineral resources with the protection of the human, marine and coastal environment,” said Secretary of Interior Gale A. Norton. “It is also important that the taxpayers receive a fair market value for energy resources on federal lands. This awards program recognizes the companies that not only meet our tough standards but exceed them.”

The Corporate Leadership Award is given to individuals that have worked closely with MMS to improve revenue collection and processes for offshore development. The Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE) recognizes outstanding safety and pollution prevention achievement by offshore oil and gas operators and contractors.

The Minerals Revenues Stewardship Award recognizes companies that demonstrate exceptional compliance with minerals revenues laws and federal financial requirements. The Corporate Citizen Award is presented to the best of the best in industry that have demonstrated the highest commitment to safety, stewardship, and resource management.

Each of these winners and finalists will be honored at the annual awards program and luncheon scheduled for April 2002. Currently in its fourth year, the event highlights the efforts of MMS to increase the visibility of safe offshore operators and contractors, promote the exchange of information among industry and encourage good corporate citizenship in all aspects of lessee responsibility. The ceremony takes place in Houston, Texas.

"We are pleased to recognize these individuals for their professionalism, cooperation, and support for the MMS offshore and minerals revenue programs," said MMS Director Johnnie Burton. "They are excellent corporate customers and their dedication has been extremely beneficial for the MMS in its management of revenue collection and offshore development."

Finalists for the 2001 SAFE award were selected February 15, 2002. They include:

High OCS Activity Finalists

Exxon Mobil Corporation
Kerr-McGee Oil and Gas Corporation

Moderate OCS Activity Finalists

ATP Oil & Gas Corporation
Aviara Energy Corporation
Dominion Exploration and Production, Inc.
Murphy Exploration & Drilling Company
Nexen Petroleum

Drilling Contractor

Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Company
Global Marine, Inc.
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

Production Contractor

Danos & Curole Marine Contractors, Inc.

For more information about the MMS awards program and luncheon visit our website at: http://www.mms.gov/awards/.

MMS is the federal agency in the U.S. Department of the Interior that manages the nation's oil, natural gas and other mineral resources on the outer continental shelf in federal offshore waters. The agency also collects, accounts for and disburses mineral revenues from federal and Indian leases. These revenues totaled nearly $10 billion in 2001 and more than $120 billion since the agency was created in 1982. Annually, nearly $1 billion from those revenues go into the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the acquisition and development of state and federal park and recreation lands.

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