The number of rigs drilling in deepwater in the Gulf of Mexico rose to a record high of 42 this week, according to the Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service.

MMS Acting Director Tom Kitsos commented that "This level of deepwater oil and gas activity illustrates the tremendous level of industry interest in the deepwater portion of the Gulf of Mexico.  Last year began with 26 rigs working in deepwater, but that number continued to rise.  By the end of the year, there were a record 40 rigs drilling in the deep waters of the Gulf.  Now, just four months into 2001, a new record has been set."  MMS defines deepwater as 1,000 feet of water or greater.  Of the 42 wells drilling in deepwater, 36 of them were in 1,500 feet of water or greater.

Kitsos also noted that "the number of wells being drilled in the so called ultra-deep water -- those in 5,000 feet of water or greater -- continues to grow significantly.  Currently, there are eight wells being drilled in water depths of 5,000 feet or greater."  The eight companies operating and the water depths are