U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service Office of Public Affairs

Media Advisory

Minerals Management Service Honors Energy Champions Tuesday in Houston

Who:  The best of the best from the energy industry will be honored by the Minerals Management Service at its annual awards ceremony.

What:  The MMS energy industry awards program honors the best performers in the oil and natural gas for excellence in safe operations, environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility.

When:  Tuesday, April 27, 2004, 11:30 a.m.

Where:  Houston Intercontinental Hotel, 2222 West Loop South, Houston, Texas, telephone:  (713) 627-7600

RSVP Requested:  If you plan to attend and cover the awards banquet, please contact Debra Winbush at (504) 650-0991 or Caryl Fagot (504) 736-2590.

 * * * PIPELINE MEETING ADDED * * *

The Minerals Management Service is exploring potential new authority to ensure open and non-discriminatory access to oil and gas pipelines by holding a public meeting to coincide with the national awards ceremony.  The public meeting will take place April 27, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. at the Hotel Intercontinental 2222 West Loop South in Houston, Texas.

* * * PIPELINE MEETING ADDED * * *

For more information on the awards program go to www.mms.gov/awards.

MMS manages the nation's oil, natural gas, and other mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf in federal offshore waters. MMS also collects, accounts for, and disburses mineral revenues from federal and American Indian lands. Between 1982 and 2003, MMS distributed more than $135 billion in revenues from onshore and offshore lands, an average of more than $6 billion per year, to the Nation, States and American Indians.  Nearly $1 billion from those revenues go into the Land and Water Conservation Fund annually for the development of State and federal park and recreation lands.                           

* * * MMS   Securing Ocean Energy and Economic Value for America * * *