IAGC Calls on Congress to hold Agencies Managing Nation’s Oil and Gas Development Accountable for Lack of Transparency
Houston, TX (PRWEB) May 19, 2016 -- The International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC) today in a hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources on “Examining Deficiencies in Transparency at the Department of the Interior” appealed to Congress to hold federal agencies responsible for oil and gas exploration and development accountable for their lack of performing their duties as set forth by law.
Speaking of the now seven-year process of evaluation and issuance of permits for oil and gas exploration using seismic surveys in U.S. Atlantic waters, which is overseen by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Peter Seidel, representative of IAGC Governing Member TGS said, “Excessive delays, in violation of statute should not continue, and we appreciate this Committee’s oversight in ensuring Federal agencies are making transparent decisions and are relying on the best publicly available science.”
Seidel, who serves as the IAGC Americas Chapter Chairman, also said the oil and gas industry finds the agencies’ use of non-peer-reviewed scientific information troubling because of the implications. Both BOEM and NMFS have used insufficiently reviewed and not openly-available information to make regulatory decisions impacting offshore exploration.
Seismic and other geophysical surveys have been safely conducted in the U.S. and around the globe for more than 50 years. Geophysical surveys are the critical first step to better understanding the resource base of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and providing policy makers and regulators with the information they need to make informed decisions about oil and gas development based on the best available data.
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About the IAGC
The IAGC represents more than 125 member companies worldwide from all segments of the geophysical industry and is the only trade organization solely dedicated to representing the industry. It is the leader in geophysical technical and operations expertise and for more than 45 years, the IAGC has worked to optimize the business and regulatory climate and enhances public understanding to support a strong, viable geophysical industry essential to discovering and delivering the world’s energy resources.
Gail Adams, IAGC, http://www.iagc.org, +1 7139578080, [email protected]
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