Continental

Lars Herbst has been named regional director of the Minerals Management Service’s (MMS) Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) region. In his new post, Herbst will manage the leasing of OCS lands off of five Gulf Coast states, and will supervise the regulation of operations and protection of the environment on more than 7,000 leases, which involve more than 4,000 platforms. He has been with the MMS since 1983. Herbst is a registered professional engineer in the state of Louisiana and holds a bachelor of science degree in petroleum engineering from Louisiana State University.

The Interior Department’s Minerals Management Service is seeking to update its regulations involving pipelines and pipeline rights-of-way (ROW) on the federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The regulations were last revised in 1988.

The Interior Department’s Minerals Management Service is seeking to update its regulations involving pipelines and pipeline rights-of-way (ROW) on the federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The regulations were last revised in 1988.

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) in February plans to hold the first oil and natural gas lease sale in the Chukchi Sea Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore Alaska in 17 years, a region estimated to hold 15 bbl of oil and 76 Tcf of gas.

New Orleans-based McMoRan Exploration Co. expanded its position in the Gulf of Mexico after completing its purchase of the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) properties of Newfield Exploration Co. for $1.08 billion (see NGI, June 25). The properties include 124 fields on 148 offshore blocks that produced 260 MMcfe/d in 2Q2007. Proved reserves as of July 1 are estimated at 323 Bcfe, which is 70% weighted to natural gas. About 90% of the proved reserves for the acquired properties were based on estimates by Ryder Scott Co. LP. McMoRan acquired 1.3 million gross acres of offshore leases and a 50% interest in Newfield’s nonproducing exploration leases on the OCS. It also acquired some of Newfield’s interests in leases associated with its Treasure Island prospect inventory. McMoRan said it is retaining personnel and contractors who have supported Newfield’s management of the acquired properties. In addition, McMoRan and Newfield plan to jointly pursue exploration activities on nonproducing leases on the OCS held by Newfield.

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) in February plans to hold the first oil and natural gas lease sale in the Chukchi Sea Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in 17 years, a region estimated to hold 15 bbl of oil and 76 Tcf of gas.

New Orleans-based McMoRan Exploration Co. expanded its position in the Gulf of Mexico after completing its purchase of the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) properties of Newfield Exploration Co. for $1.08 billion (see Daily GPI, June 22).

House advocates of natural gas drilling plan to introduce legislation soon that would remove the congressional ban on gas exploration and drilling in much of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

House advocates of natural gas drilling plan to introduce legislation soon that would remove the congressional ban on gas exploration and drilling in much of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).