essage from the Regional Director
Energy
security is on the minds of many Americans. Lately, it seems not a day
goes by that we aren’t reminded of the far-reaching impact energy has in
our daily lives and on our economy. Through close consultation and
coordination with West Coast States, other government agencies, and key
stakeholders, the MMS Pacific OCS Region is working to seek possible
solutions to our Nation’s complex energy situation.
To date, the MMS Pacific OCS Region
continues to diligently pursue its mission of
effectively and responsibly managing America’s offshore energy resources
on the Pacific OCS. Led by a vision based on
collaboration, the Pacific OCS Region carries out its day-to-day
operations through a diverse and well-trained staff dedicated to working
closely with State and local governments, ocean-users and other key
stakeholders. Through these working relationships, the Pacific OCS
Region obtains a greater appreciation of regional and local issues;
this, in turn, provides the agency with insight to better understand and
respond to issues of concern while pursuing the Region’s core principles
of safety, science and
sustainability.
Safety
The Region is committed to ensuring clean
and safe energy and mineral operations on the OCS, and protecting
coastal and marine environments potentially affected by the activities
we regulate. This commitment is demonstrated by our impressive oil-spill
record. Since 1970, a total of only 850 barrels of oil have been lost
into the marine environment from Pacific OCS operations. This is less
than the amount of oil seeping naturally into the ocean from cracks in
the seafloor during any given week offshore California.
Our inspectors are offshore 365 days
a year, inspecting the 23 OCS platforms for compliance with MMS
regulations and various other conditions of operation. Additionally, the
Region’s inspection protocol includes engineers and environmental
scientists, many of whom participate in systemic reviews of the
facilities as well as in ongoing and regular inspections. The Region
continues to improve its regulations and enforcement procedures to
further ensure clean and safe management of OCS resources.
Science
Scientific research and advancement are
essential to the success of the Region. From an operational
perspective, technological improvements within the energy industry have
the potential to increase access to resources while reducing associated
adverse environmental impacts. Moreover, since 1973, the MMS
Regional Environmental Studies Program has cumulatively funded 189
studies addressing Pacific OCS issues at a value of almost $124
million. In many cases, these studies represent pioneering research for
the entire California coastline. The scientific information obtained
from these studies assists the Region in assessing the impacts of OCS
operations on the marine and coastal ecology along California.
Information from existing and future studies will become invaluable in
understanding the effects of alternative energy development on the OCS.
Sustainability
Since energy consumption continues to increase, satisfying the Nation’s
energy needs will require a sustainable approach to production and
development of OCS resources. The Pacific OCS Region has been, and will
continue to be, an important contributor to the domestic hydrocarbon
inventory. Over the past 36 years, the Region has produced over 1.09
billion barrels of oil and 1.38 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. With
43 leases currently producing, it is estimated that almost 400 million
barrels of oil and over 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas remain to
be recovered.
The Region emphasizes the importance
of maximizing the ultimate recovery of those hydrocarbon resources to
ensure that reservoirs are developed in a manner that prevents
waste. Additionally, access to and uses of resources on the OCS
continues to increase. Diversifying the Nation’s energy portfolio with
well-planned OCS alternative energy development, such as the harnessing
of wind, wave and ocean current resources will provide a greater amount
of domestically produced renewable energy. As these projects progress,
MMS remains committed to ensuring that multiple uses do not conflict and
that development on the OCS is orderly and sustainable.
The Pacific OCS Region is proud of the role it plays
in satisfying the energy needs of the American people. However, we
recognize that our success relies on maintaining an open dialog with
those we serve. I encourage you to use this website as an active means
of communicating with the Region. Visit often and offer us feedback.
Whether you wish to track a specific project, learn more about ongoing
environmental studies or find educational materials for teachers and
students, the Pacific OCS Region's website has something for everyone. I
hope you find this site both useful and informative.
The Region will continue to draw on its core
principles – safety, science and
sustainability – to manage the Nation’s offshore energy and
mineral resources in a manner that is responsive to the country’s needs
and sensitive to the public’s concerns.
