The Offshore program, which manages the mineral resources on the OCS, comprises three regions: Alaska, Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific. The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is a significant source of oil and gas for the Nation's energy supply. At the end of 2002, the U.S. offshore supplied more than 25 percent of the country's natural gas production and more than 30 percent of total domestic oil production.

The offshore areas of the United States contain the majority of future oil and gas resources. It is estimated that 60 percent of the oil and 59 percent of the gas yet to be discovered in the United States are located on the OCS. In working to meet its responsibilities, the Offshore Minerals Management Program administers the outer continental shelf competitive leasing program and oversees the safe and environmentally sound exploration and production of our nation's offshore natural gas, oil and other mineral resources.