1. n. [Drilling Fluids]

A branch of the US Lands and Mineral Management Department formerly charged with supervising national resources. MMS had oversight of oil and gas leasing, royalty collection and other operations in US-owned areas. It was responsible for closely monitoring operations in Federal waters, overseeing leasing of acreage, issuing drilling permits and monitoring operators for permit violations.

From 2010 to 2011, the MMS was replaced by three independent agencies within the US Department of Interior:

• Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) for revenue collection
• Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for US offshore resources management
• Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) for safety and environmental regulations enforcement.

Alternate Form: MMS

See related terms: bioassay,  CERCLA,  EPA,  LC₅₀,  mysid shrimp,  NPDES,  sheen test