MMS had three objectives for the study. First was to develop an oceanographic experimental design of research cruises covering the NEGOM study area with sufficient frequency to resolve seasonal variations of chemical oceanography and hydro graphic parameters. Second was to collect the ancillary data needed to complement and analyze the chemical oceanographic and hydro graphic measurements. Third was to analyze the data to describe the vertical and horizontal spatial distributions and temporal variability of water properties and to describe the processes that contribute to the production of the observed distributions.Study results will assist MMS in its management of the nation's Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Program, including oil and gas leases in federal waters of the northeast Gulf shelves and upper slope.