The Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) is one of three regional offices of the Minerals Management Service (MMS), an Agency that manages more than a billion offshore acres and collects about $10 billion dollars in mineral revenues annually.  From the days of its predecessor agencies and the creation of MMS in 1982, the program has brought in through 2000, more than 10.9 billion barrels of domestic oil and 133 trillion cubic feet of gas up from under the ocean floor; 97% which comes from the Gulf of Mexico.  OCS leases currently supply a quarter of the U.S. production of natural gas and oil; a significant contribution to our Nation's economic strength and national security.  It is estimated that over 55,000 petroleum-related workers are employed in the Gulf of Mexico offshore industry.

The Gulf of Mexico Regional Director is Lars Herbst.  Many disciplines are utilized to conduct the program.  Occupational categories include Petroleum Engineers, Geologists, Geophysicists, Inspectors, Physical Scientists, Technicians, Environmental Scientists, Oceanographers, Meteorologists, Marine Biologists, Economists, Mineral Leasing Specialists, Archaeologists, Paleontologists, Computer Specialists, Information Specialists, and Administrative Specialists, and a variety of clerical positions.  The GOMR currently has 542 employees on board.  The GOMR has District Offices located in Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and New Orleans, Louisiana, and Lake Jackson, Texas.  The Subdistrict Office is located in Corpus Christi, Texas.