The GOM Region is responsible for administering more than 7,000 active leases covering more than 39 million offshore acres, where some 35,400 personnel work offshore on over 3,850 producing and 200 drilling facilities for some 160 qualified operators. The Region regards the safety of personnel, of the environment, and of operations as top priorities.

The Nation's record for safe and clean offshore natural gas and oil operations is excellent. And to maintain and improve upon this excellent record, MMS continually seeks operational improvements that will reduce the risks to offshore personnel and to the environment. MMS constantly re-evaluates its procedures and regulations to stay abreast of technological advances that will ensure safe and clean operations, as well as to increase awareness of their importance.

Prevention is our most important safety strategy. MMS's approach to prevention has four major program components: the Technology Assessment and Research Program; an extensive offshore personnel training program; a regulatory program, which includes approval of plans, facilities, and operations, and an inspection of those facilities and operations; and accident investigations.

Accidents reported to the MMS may trigger an investigation by the MMS district office in which the incident occurred. In the case of a major accident, MMS may create an investigative panel of district, regional, and headquarters personnel, as well as representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard and other Federal agencies including the National Transportation Safety Board. Findings from both types of investigations may lead to the issuance of safety alerts, technology assessment and research, changes in the training program, and/or improvements in the MMS regulatory program all of which further ensure safe and environmentally sound operations.

Through these comprehensive programs MMS remains deeply committed to ensuring that safety is a prerequisite of all activity on the OCS, now and in the future.