Archives for January 2012

For Immediate Release:                              Contact:  Nicolette Nye

Thursday, January 26, 2012                                       (202) 347-6900

                                                                                   

NOIA Statement on Announcement of Central Gulf of Mexico Sale

 

Washington, D.C. – NOIA President Randall Luthi issued the following statement on today’s announcement of the June 2012 Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale:     

 

“We’re pleased to hear that the long delayed Central Gulf of Mexico sale will finally occur in June.   Sales are an essential step in providing much needed American jobs and energy, not only in the Gulf of Mexico, but across the country.  However this sale has been on the books since 2007 under the current 5-year plan.   It’s nothing new, nor is the claim that 75% of the resources on the OCS are open to development. It is just smoke and mirrors to hide the fact that we’re still exploring in the same areas we have been for the past 30 years.  

 

“This sale is actually a melding of two previously scheduled sales: Central GOM Sale 216, originally scheduled for 2011, and Central GOM Sale 222, originally scheduled for 2012.  In fact, seven sales scheduled in the 2007-2012 Plan were flat out cancelled – one off the coast of Virginia, one in the western GOM and five off the coast of Alaska.   So, while we move one step forward today, we are already several steps behind.  If the President and his administration are serious about more access, they should at least put Virginia offshore exploration and development back on the table.

 

“Nonetheless, having a sale is always a good event and NOIA members are excited about the opportunity to participate in the upcoming Central Gulf of Mexico sale.  This is also a good reminder that comments are currently being taken on the next 5-year plan, which should be effective as of July 1, 2012.  The 5-year plan is the most important policy and process document concerning offshore oil and gas exploration that an administration can produce.  It is the vision of how an administration views not only the oil and gas industry, but also its energy policy. Unfortunately, the proposed 5-year plan currently does not include any proposed sales outside the areas that have been explored for 30 years.  I am hopeful that the American public, through the comment process, will stress how important it is to increase our home grown energy program and greatly expand the proposed strategy.”

 

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NOIA is the only national trade association representing all segments of the offshore industry with an interest in the exploration and production of both traditional and renewable energy resources on the nation’s outer continental shelf.  NOIA’s mission is to secure reliable access and a fair regulatory and economic environment for the companies that develop the nation’s valuable offshore energy resources in an environmentally responsible manner. The NOIA membership comprises more than 270 companies engaged in business activities ranging from producing to drilling, engineering to marine and air transport, offshore construction to equipment manufacture and supply, telecommunications to finance and insurance, and renewable energy.

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For Immediate Release:                              Contact:  Nicolette Nye

Thursday, January 12, 2012                                       (202) 347-6900

                                                                                                 

 

NOIA Comments on Draft National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan

 

Washington, D.C. – NOIA President Randall Luthi issued the following statement on the Draft National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan released today by the Obama Administration:  

 

“The members of NOIA have long appreciated the diverse ocean resources and the tremendous potential they yield for energy, recreation, and jobs.  Our members also recognize that offshore energy exploration and development are not incompatible with other ocean activities.  For example, it has been well documented that a tremendous amount of marine life, many of which are rare or endangered, live and thrive in the reef systems created by production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. 

 

“The goals espoused by the National Ocean Council Draft Implementation Plan are certainly worthy of attention; however some aspects of the plan are also of concern to our industry. In particular, the use of Coastal Marine Spatial Planning may very well be a multi-layered bureaucratic solution seeking a problem that doesn’t exist. Our industry has been successfully operating for decades, without major conflict, guided by the planning already inherent in the five year offshore leasing process mandated under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. 

 

“Thus while we believe the overall idea of coordination has good merit, the devil will certainly be in the eventual implementation of the Plan.   The good news is that there is an opportunity for broad public comment on the draft Plan.  We welcome the opportunity to be a part of the conversation as we believe the offshore energy industry has been underrepresented in the planning process.  We hope the process will provide sufficient time for the intentions of and need for the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan to be diligently vetted.”  

 

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NOIA is the only national trade association representing all segments of the offshore industry with an interest in the exploration and production of both traditional and renewable energy resources on the nation’s outer continental shelf.  NOIA’s mission is to secure reliable access and a fair regulatory and economic environment for the companies that develop the nation’s valuable offshore energy resources in an environmentally responsible manner. The NOIA membership comprises more than 270 companies engaged in business activities ranging from producing to drilling, engineering to marine and air transport, offshore construction to equipment manufacture and supply, telecommunications to finance and insurance, and renewable energy.