U.S. Department of the Interior

Minerals Management Service

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region

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FOR RELEASE: December 27, 2000 Barney Congdon

(504) 736-2595

Caryl Fagot

(504) 736-2590

Debra Winbush

(504) 736-2597

Rigs Drilling in Deepwater Gulf Reaches Record High

The number of rigs drilling in deepwater in the Gulf of Mexico rose to a record high of 40 this week, according to the Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service.