The MMS Environmental Studies Program (ESP) was initiated in 1973 as a means to gather and synthesize environmental and social and economic science information to support decision-making concerning the offshore oil and gas program.  In addition to conducting the focused environmental research in areas of existing or proposed activities, the ESP must also ensure that the research conducted is accessible.

The Environmental Studies Program Information System (ESPIS) makes all completed ESP reports available on-line as full electronic pdf documents, including images and graphics.  Technical summaries of over 700 MMS-sponsored environmental research projects, as well as full pdf documents of over 2,000 research reports, are available for online full text search. The information is grouped geographically to locate the most useful documents.  Geographic locations for the research include the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Pacific, and Alaska.   A National study is research that pertains to more than one geographic region (e.g., the effects of wind on oil spill spreading).