October 2007
MISSION

Provide the American public with ocean energy, mineral resources, 

and resulting economic value in a safe and environmentally sound manner.

VISION

A model of excellence in ocean energy and minerals management.

U.S. Department of the Interior

Minerals Management Service 

Offshore Minerals Management
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MESSAGE FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR — CHRIS OYNES

I am pleased to present to you the Offshore Minerals Management (OMM) Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2007-

2012. Over the past year, the OMM senior managers have critically reviewed both OMM program responsibilities 

and organization. One result of this effort is the development of this Strategic Plan for 2007-2012. 

The OMM Program needs this Strategic Plan to integrate our wide range of assigned responsibilities. Our challenge 

is to integrate the barely 2-year old new and far reaching responsibility for alternative energy development, 

responsibilities for a coastal impact assistance program, and three new revenue sharing responsibilities with 

our 50-year old responsibilities for offshore oil and gas. We need this plan in order to (1) be clear about our 

mission and our day-to-day roles, (2) unite our organization and empower our employees, and (3) provide 

clarity on where we need to head. We are challenged with increasing responsibilities, and increasing technically 

sophisticated and one-of-a-kind technology solutions that must be evaluated; making resource management 

decisions based on sound resource, environmental, and technical sciences; and the special demanding effort of 

implementing entirely new programs in view of the significant roles of a variety of stakeholders from Federal, 

State, and local governmental entities, special interests, the public, and the regulated community. This Strategic 

Plan is our guide.

We celebrated our agency’s 25th anniversary on January 19, 2007. Our accomplishments 

have been significant. To remain successful, we must adapt to new ways of working; 

we must look to simplifying procedures, savings in electronic processing, and efficiencies 

in reducing layers and reviews; and we must employ technology as advanced as our 

industry counterparts. This is no small task. While we have extensive and even worldclass experience with Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and natural gas, we continue to 

expand our knowledge base to new and more challenging environments and to new 

resources and uses of the OCS altogether. Also, we have significant new responsibilities 

with alternative energy that require us to get to know and involve ourselves with a vast 

new set of stakeholders. 
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The OMM Program performs essential functions for the Nation, identifying and providing access to 

energy and mineral resources on the OCS and managing access to these resources in a manner that 

protects environmental values. I am confident that we can meet the high expectations of our customers, 

stakeholders and strategic partners, as well as ourselves. Alongside our valued and highly trained 

employees, I look forward to implementing this plan as we move toward achieving our vision to be 

a model of excellence in ocean energy and minerals management. This vision fits clearly within the 

Department’s core value of “Stewardship for America with Integrity and Excellence.”
Contents

Introduction iv

Future Opportunities 1

Strategic Framework 2

Mission Map 3

1. Overarching Strategic Goal: Achieve Expeditious and Orderly Development of Resources 4

2. Strategic Goal: Ensure Safe and Sound Operations 8

3. Strategic Goal: Minimize Impact on the Environment 10

4. Strategic Goal: Achieve Fair Market Value 14

5. Strategic Goal: Foster Conservation of Mineral Resources 16

6. Foundational Goal: Develop and Employ Sound Science, Work force Tools, and Partnerships 18

Strategic Implementation 22

Introduction iii
iv

INTRODUCTION 

The Offshore Minerals Management (OMM) Program within the Minerals Management Service (MMS) plays a critical 

role in securing ocean energy and mineral resources for the Nation. The OMM is charged with managing access to 

and developing energy and mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in a manner that is operationally 

safe and environmentally sound, prevents waste, and provides a fair return for public resources. The strategies and 

activities carried out by OMM contribute to the accomplishment of the Department of the Interior (DOI) mission 

goal of Resource Use, as outlined in the current DOI Strategic Plan.

The OMM’s management responsibilities, as defined by the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA), are significant. These 

responsibilities extend over approximately 1.76 billion acres of the OCS and range from initial resource assessments 

and lease offerings through exploration, development, production, and decommissioning. Oil and gas operations 

are reaching into deeper waters and deeper depths in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and expanding into the Arctic. By 

2011, the OCS is projected to contribute nearly 40 percent of U.S. domestic oil production. Technological advances 

continue to improve recovery of oil and gas and reduce potential environmental impacts. 

The 2007-2012 Oil and Natural Gas Leasing Program is OMM’s seventh 5-Year Plan and includes 21 lease sales. In 

response to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, OMM is developing the Alternative Energy/Alternate Use Program. This 

program will have a direct effect on the success of offshore energy production from renewable sources and the 

disposition or reuse of retired oil and gas platforms. The Act inaugurated the Coastal Impact Assistance Program 

requiring OMM to disburse $250 million annually over a 4-year period to affected coastal States and coastal political 

subdivisions for a variety of uses, with an emphasis on approved coastal restoration and conservation.
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FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

The OMM’s increasing responsibilities encompass new opportunities for securing 

energy from alternative sources, while managing the pursuit of untapped traditional 

resources using innovative technologies. Looking forward, the OMM will continue 

to secure energy for future generations. It also faces expansion of the leasing 

program, continued production from mature fields, and increased contingency 

planning for hurricanes and Arctic conditions. The OMM has developed this 

strategic plan to address new requirements and challenges in a way that allows 

continued operations but with an eye towards no significant increase in resources.

The OMM’s role is evolving to include alternative uses of the OCS. The Energy 

Policy Act of 2005 gave MMS jurisdiction over offshore alternative energy projects 

such as wave, wind, and solar energy. As such, the OMM will determine how to 

provide access for and regulate alternative energy on a large scale, while maintaining 

an effective program for more traditional oil, natural gas, and nonenergy mineral 

responsibilities. 

The OCS operations are expanding into new frontier areas. Exploration is moving 

into waters deeper than 2 miles in the GOM and into Arctic areas off Alaska. With 

ever-improving record setting technology, wells will penetrate more than 5 miles 

below the seabed and reach out to 8 miles from a drill site. As in the past, the 

OMM will carefully monitor OCS activities, evaluate opportunities for additional 

OCS energy, and address potential environmental, social 

and economic impacts.

Management of ocean resources will increasingly be shared by different government 

agencies. Two of the key documents directing this effort are An Ocean Blueprint 

for the 21st Century and the President’s U.S. Ocean Action Plan. These documents 

set the stage for a balanced and practical approach for establishing a national, 

comprehensive and coordinated ocean policy. The OMM’s foundation in 

science, management, and partnership places us squarely in the center of this effort 

as OMM uses an adaptive and collaborative management approach to accomplish its 

stewardship responsibilities.
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STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

The OMM Strategic Plan provides a framework that identifies its major efforts in the upcoming years. The OMM must take a 

balanced approach that enables the organization to meet America’s future energy needs. This framework covers the full gamut of 

OMM functions. The Strategic Plan integrates and aligns responsibilities in OMM under six major strategic goals and reinforces its 

commitment to achieving results while balancing priorities, properly allocating resources, and managing performance. 

The Strategic Plan comprises six goals:

1. Achieve Expeditious and Orderly Development of Resources

2. Ensure Safe and Sound Operations

3. Minimize Impact on the Environment

4. Achieve Fair Market Value

5. Foster Conservation of Mineral Resources

6. Develop and Employ Sound Science, Work Force Tools, and Partnerships

The following framework illustrates OMM’s plan for the future. The overarching goal is to Achieve Expeditious and Orderly 

Development of Resources. This goal is supported by four strategic goals: 

 1. Ensure Safe and Sound Operations 

 2. Minimize Impact on the Environment 

 3. Achieve Fair Market Value

 4. Foster Conservation of Mineral Resources

All of these goals are dependent on the foundational goal of Develop 

and Employ Sound Science, Work force Tools, and Partnerships. 

This Strategic Plan is a living document. The plan identifies specific 

objectives and initiatives we expect to implement over the 5-year period 2007-2012. As we proceed, new objectives and initiatives 

will emerge. The OMM will develop implementation plans for each initiative.
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Mission:

Provide the American public with ocean 

energy, mineral resources, and resulting 

economic value in a safe and environmentally 

sound manner

Vision:

A model of excellence in ocean energy & minerals management.

Achieve Expeditious and Orderly Development of Resources

Implement an Oil and Natural Gas Program

Manage the new Alternative Energy Program for the OCS

Ensure Safe 

and Sound 

Operations

Maintain effective 

regulations and 

verify compliance 

Manage high-risk 

operations

Minimize Impact on 

the Environment

Achieve environmental 

accountability & compliance

Ensure the OMM 

environmental program 

policies & procedures are 

effectively communicated

Target environmental 

and technical studies 

to support decisions

Achieve Fair 

Market Value

Protect the public 

interest by performing diligent technical 

analysis and review 

of industry high bids

Foster 

Conservation 

of Mineral 

Resources

Minimize waste 

or unnecessary 

loss in the 

recovery of public 

resources through 

administrative and 

fiscal policies

Develop and Employ Sound Science, Work force Tools, and Partnerships

Make decisions based on the best science

Recruit and retain a highly skilled work force

Publish timely and effective regulations

Enhance mission support with the best technology

Strengthen relationships with affected and interested parties
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1. OVERARCHING STRATEGIC GOAL: 

ACHIEVE EXPEDITIOUS AND ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT OF RESOURCES
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1. Achieve expeditious and ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT OF RESOURCES

GOAL Definition

Realize the exploitation of OCS energy and mineral assets in a timely and systematic fashion.

This is OMM’s overarching strategic goal and depends on the achievement of the other five goals–four pillars 

standing on a foundation. The foundational goal — Develop and Employ Sound Science, Work force Tools, 

and Partnerships — provides the program with a solid platform on which to base balanced decisions, policies 

and procedures to implement a regulatory process that is both transparent and predictable. This overarching 

goal embodies the OMM overall outcome; it is the planned result of the full spectrum of the OMM operational 

efforts.

Objectives

Implement the 2007-2012 Oil and Natural Gas Leasing Program

Manage the full suite of leasing and permitting activities to ensure predictability, accountability, and efficiency. 

Conduct lease sales and issue permits only where appropriate.

Initiatives

1.1 Hold oil and natural gas lease sales on schedule, with appropriate terms and conditions

1.2 Assure expeditious permitting and plan approvals, with thorough reviews and appropriate 

 mitigations

1.3 Execute timely approvals for lease maintenance/exchanges
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Manage the new alternative energy and alternative use program for the OCS

Develop a clear and predictable process to identify and lease (competitively and noncompetitively) OCS areas, and develop 

an effective plan review and permitting process for alternative energy and 

alternate use activities. 

Initiatives

1.4 Develop a framework for leasing, permitting, and managing OCS 

 alternative energy and alternate use program 

1.5 Implement alternative energy program through 

 issuance and management of leases, rights-of-way, and easements.

OCS Energy Activity

Leases and Activity FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006

Active OCS Leases 8,244 8,364 8,140

Exploration Plans Approved 350 371 347

Development Plans/DOCD Approved 314 257 313

Lease Maintenance Activity FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006

Assignments Approved 2,154 2,439 2,597

Designation of Operator Approved 666 488 914

Bond Actions Approved 411 950 672
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2. STRATEGIC GOAL: 

ENSURE SAFE AND SOUND OPERATIONS
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2. Ensure safe and sound operations

GOAL Definition

Achieve outstanding safety and pollution prevention performance

Objectives

Maintain effective regulations and verify compliance

Regulations, inspections, and enforcement practices encourage safe operations and correct poor performance.

INITIATIVES

2.1 Require operators to employ safety and environmental management systems

2.2 Update regulations to incorporate best practices and technological advances

2.3 Update standards to reflect new information and hurricane knowledge

Manage high-risk operations

Safety and pollution prevention risks are properly identified and mitigated through appropriate 

technical reviews, inspection, and enforcement actions.

INITIATIVES

2.4 Focus comprehensive inspection strategy on facilities where risk is highest 

2.5 Participate in research and standards development for high pressure, high temperature, deepwater, 

 and Arctic operations

2.6 Identify and address safety and pollution prevention-related permitting issues in frontier areas
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3. STRATEGIC GOAL: 

MINIMIZE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
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3. Minimize Impact on the environment

GOAL Definition

Prevent or minimize adverse impacts to the marine, coastal, and human environments

Objectives

Achieve environmental accountability and compliance

Regulations, best practices, and enforcement encourage responsible environmental performance.

INITIATIVES

3.1 Evaluate effectiveness of existing mitigation measures

3.2 Implement an environmental performance data verification and 

 validation process
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Target environmental and technical studies to support decisions

Provide the technical, environmental, social, and economic information to evaluate the potential effects of 

developing the Nation’s offshore energy and mineral resources.

INITIATIVES

3.3 Identify and prioritize information needs and external partners for science, and initiate 

 studies in a timely manner for oil, natural gas, and alternative energy

3.4 Assure an appropriate level of stakeholder input and scientific peer review

Ensure the OMM environmental program policies and procedures are effectively communicated

Clear and up-to-date policies and procedures are critical for the management of the Environmental Program.

INITIATIVES

3.5 Clarify and publish environmental policies and procedures
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4. STRATEGIC GOAL: 

ACHIEVE FAIR MARKET VALUE
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4. Achieve fair market value

GOAL Definition 

Achieve a fair and equitable return for the American public for rights conveyed

Objectives

Protect the public interest by performing diligent technical analyses and review of industry high bids

INITIATIVES

4.1 Ensure access to all relevant geoscience, engineering, and economic data necessary to conduct timely 

 and comprehensive bid reviews 

4.2 Evaluate the effectiveness of existing internal bid adequacy review procedures
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5. STRATEGIC GOAL: 

FOSTER CONSERVATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES
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5. Foster conservation of Energy and mineral resources 

GOAL Definition

Maximize ultimate recovery of public resources

Objectives

Ensure the conservation of natural resources, the prevention of waste, and the proper measurement of 

hydrocarbons through sound science consistent with regulations and policy.

INITIATIVES

5.1 Ensure access to all relevant geoscience, engineering, and economic data necessary to conduct timely 

 and comprehensive conservation reviews.

5.2 Evaluate the effectiveness of existing internal conservation review procedures 

5.3 Effectively communicate conservation goals.. FOUNDATIONAL GOAL:
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DEVELOP AND EMPLOY SOUND SCIENCE, 

WORK FORCE TOOLS, AND PARTNERSHIPS
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6. Develop and employ sound science, work force tools, and partnerships

GOAL Definition

Enhance communication, manage knowledge, and facilitate the use of science for decisions

This is the foundational goal for OMM, providing the base for actions and decisions with respect to all offshore operations. 

All goals lead to Expeditious and Orderly Development of Resources, but none are possible without sound science, a strong 

work force, and partnerships.

Objectives

Strengthen relationships with affected and interested parties

Improve decisions and understanding through the engagement of stakeholders

INITIATIVES

6.1 Establish effective lines of communication

6.2 Implement the Coastal Impact Assistance Program

6.3 Implement OMM’s responsibilities under the President’s Ocean Action Plan
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Enhance mission support with the best technology

Obtain and use information management technology to support OMM business processes and meet future Agency business 

conditions and demands.

Initiatives

6.4 Execute plans to enhance existing capabilities

6.5 Coordinate with Minerals Revenue Management to ensure compatibility with their business processes and 

 system requirements

Publish timely and effective regulations

Clear and up-to-date regulations are critical to OCS management activities.

Initiatives

6.6 Identify key regulatory needs and those accountable to ensure expeditious, timely, and accurate 

 publication of rules.

Improve knowledge management through documentation of critical processes

 Initiatives

6.7 Publish Interim Policy Documents and manual chapters for 

 key processes and delegations

6.8 Develop knowledge management store houses for key 

 programs or areas

6.9 Improve lines of internal communication
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Recruit and retain a highly skilled work force

The OMM will support innovative strategies to acquire and retain a highly skilled work force with the competencies needed to 

achieve its mission.

Initiatives

6.10 Retain employees with critical skills

6.11 Enhance current employees’ technical and leadership skills

6.12 Recruit new employees for critical disciplines

Make decisions based on the best science

Decisions are enhanced when they are founded upon sound, 

credible information.

Initiatives

6.13 Obtain key information to support decisions in frontier 

 areas of the 2007-2012 OCS Oil and Natural Gas Leasing 

 Program in a timely manner 

6.14 Provide scientific information that is comprehensible and in 

 a format useful to decisionmakers
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STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION

The OMM recognizes that a successful strategic planning program evolves over time. This Strategic Plan provides a 

framework for translating OMM’s mission and vision into a coherent set of strategic objectives. To accomplish these 

objectives, the OMM will track implementation of initiatives and measure our performance.

As OMM moves forward, challenges remain. It will continue to examine the relevance of its objectives, the 

validity of its measures, and the effectiveness of its initiatives. The OMM must do so in the context of a changing 

environment. With strong leadership commitment, the OMM will meet these challenges and continue to be a 

model of excellence in ocean energy and minerals management.

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Camarillo, CA

Anchorage, AK

New 

Orleans, LA

Herndon, VA

LOCATIONS AND CONTACT DETAILS

OMM Headquarters

381 Elden Street

Herndon, VA 20170

(703) 787-1011

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region and Atlantic Activities 

1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard 

New Orleans, LA 70123-2394

(504) 736-2595

Toll Free: 1-800-200-GULF

Alaska OCS Region

3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500

Anchorage, AK 99503-4363

(907) 334-5208

Toll Free: 1-800-764-2627

Pacific OCS Region

770 Paseo Camarillo

Camarillo, CA 93010

(805) 389-7533

Toll Free: 1-800-6PAC-OCS