Department of the Interior
Departmental Manual
Effective Date: 11/4/04
Series: Organization
Part 118: Minerals Management Service
Chapter 5: Offshore Minerals Management
Originating Office: Minerals Management Service
118 DM 5
5.1 Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management (OMM). The Associate Director for OMM is responsible for all offshore activities, designed to maximize development while ensuring fair market value and safe, environmentally sound Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) operations. This office also provides oversight and coordination of the Minerals Management Service=s (MMS) involvement in international activities. Responsibilities for these functions are shared with a Deputy Associate Director, and implementation is performed by one staff office, five divisions, and three regional offices. (See organization chart.)
5.2 Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs (ORP). The ORP manages rules, standards, and compliance programs governing OCS oil, gas, and minerals operations. The ORP is responsible for OMM regulations and the associated policy documents, safety management programs, safety and pollution prevention research, technology assessments, inspection and enforcement policies, accident investigation practices, and coordinating OMM operational programs with the U.S. Coast Guard and other Federal agencies.
5.3 Economics Division. The Economics Division is responsible for the development and analysis of economic issues of the offshore oil and gas program. These economic analyses support policies for leasing decisions and regulatory functions.
5.4 Environmental Division. The Environmental Division is responsible for the oversight, policy guidance, direction, and supervision of offshore environmental concerns and issues. This office is also responsible for environmental compliance activities of the various laws and regulations.
5.5 Information Technology (IT) Division. The IT Division is responsible for oversight and policy guidance for IT management within OMM. The objectives are to provide IT management to Headquarters and regions of OMM and promote the appropriate use of IT in the accomplishment of the bureau's mission.
5.6 Leasing Division. The Leasing Division is responsible for all leasing policy and program development issues. This office provides coordination, oversight, direction, and supervision of the 5-year Leasing Program and all preleasing activities of the offshore leasing program. It also provides leadership, policy direction, coordination, and oversight for the marine minerals component of the Offshore Minerals Management Program.
5.7 Resource Evaluation Division. The Resource Evaluation Division is responsible for providing oversight, policy guidance and direction of offshore oil and gas geologic and geophysical evaluations, and the development of models for geologic and engineering assessments of mineral resource potential of the OCS.
5.8 Regional Offices. The regional offices are responsible for implementing and managing the Offshore programs for resource and environmental resources, evaluations, leasing of mineral resources, and approval and supervision of the private sector's exploration, development, and production operations on the OCS. There are three regional offices:
A. Alaska OCS Region (headquartered at Anchorage, Alaska) includes Offshore programs on the OCS of Alaska.
B. Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (headquartered at New Orleans, Louisiana) includes Offshore programs in the Gulf of Mexico and along the eastern seaboard.
C. Pacific OCS Region (headquartered at Camarillo, California) includes Offshore programs along the western seaboard.
