Archives for November 2012

Press Release  

For Immediate Release:   Friday, November 30, 2012

NOIA Contact:  Nicolette Nye,     (202) 347-6900, nicolette@nullnoia.org

IADC Contact:    Amy Rose,           (713) 292-1945, amy.rose@nulliadc.org

 

 

NOIA and IADC See Broad, Far Reaching Impacts from EPA Suspension of BP

 

Washington, D.C. – Banning BP from bidding in future offshore lease sales could have a hugely negative ripple effect on drilling contractors and the rest of the offshore industry as well as the Gulf region, and even the Federal government. The offshore oil and gas industry, which is based almost entirely in the Gulf of Mexico, supported over 200,000 American jobs in 2010 and contributed nearly $80 billion in revenues to the federal government from 2001-2010. BP is the largest operator in the Gulf of Mexico, and its investments in the region create business opportunities for many other companies, create and sustain good jobs in the region, and generate much needed government revenue.  

The timing of the EPA announcement was unfortunate, coming on the same day as the first offshore lease sale in the Administration’s new five year plan.  Although BP submitted no bids, the Federal government profited by $133 million from this week’s Western Gulf lease sale. The next offshore lease sale, scheduled for March 2013 in the Central Gulf of Mexico, is expected to bring in a much bigger take for the Federal government.  The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) and the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), both of which count BP as a member, feel that EPA’s suspension may be overly punitive, considering BP’s diligent efforts to work with the federal government on cleanup and restoration efforts, and given the further potential far reaching impacts of the action.   We are hopeful that the offshore industry, the Gulf region, and the Federal government can benefit from BP’s participation in the upcoming Central Gulf sale and future offshore lease sales.

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ABOUT NOIA
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 275 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.

ABOUT IADC

IADC is dedicated to enhancing the interests of oil-and-gas and geothermal drilling contractors worldwide. Founded in 1940, IADC’s mission is to improve industry health, safety and environmental practices; advance drilling and completion technology; and champion responsible standards, practices, legislation and regulations that provide for safe, efficient and environmentally sound drilling operations worldwide.

For Immediate Release:  Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Contact:  Nicolette Nye, (202) 347-6900, nicolette@nullnoia.org

 

Western Gulf Sale Shows Industry Commitment to Domestic Exploration and Production

 

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Randall Luthi today issued the following statement on bidding in Western Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 229:

“This sale is on-par with expectations and shows that the offshore oil and natural gas industry is still committed to domestic exploration and production. The Federal government benefits from this sale through non-income tax revenue and the promise of future income through rents and potential royalties, upon production.  With enormous economic challenges facing the U.S., and the impending "fiscal-cliff" dominating the national conversation, it is gratifying to see the offshore industry stepping up to the plate and providing hundreds of millions of dollars to the U.S. treasury.  American energy consumers also stand to benefit from this sale through the increased energy security and reliability that successful development of leased tracts will bring. 

“Any sale is good news for the offshore oil and natural gas industry, Federal government, and energy consumers, but today’s sale should also serve as a reminder that Federal policy has placed nearly all of our offshore energy "eggs" in one basket.  The Gulf of Mexico is America's offshore energy hub – the source of about 30% of our domestic oil and around 11% of our domestic natural gas.  But, as we saw this summer, storms that pass through the region can temporarily shut-off this vital spigot, causing spikes in fuel prices.  Diversification into other offshore areas would spread our energy "eggs" out over several baskets, increasing domestic energy security and reliability and reducing our dependence on foreign sources. 

 

“By restricting activity to the same 15% of the outer continental shelf that the industry has been picking over for decades, the Administration is ensuring that our offshore energy resources are being underdeveloped.  We are all losing as a result. A true "all-of-the-above" energy policy would include opening up access to new offshore areas for exploration and development of oil and natural gas.”

 

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ABOUT NOIA
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 275 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.

For Immediate Release:   Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Contact:  Nicolette Nye, (202) 347-6900, nicolette@nullnoia.org

 

NOIA President Expects Interesting and Healthy Western Gulf Lease Sale

 

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Randall Luthi today issued the following statement on Western Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 229, which will be held tomorrow in New Orleans, LA:

 

“This will be an interesting sale to watch.  It is the first sale under the Obama administration’s new five year offshore leasing plan, so the level of activity in this sale will be a good indicator of industry’s confidence not only in the remaining resources of the Western Gulf of Mexico, but also in the Administration’s willingness to allow those resources to be developed in a timely fashion.  No one expects this sale to match the level of the 2011 Western Gulf sale, which was much bigger than usual due to the cancellation of the 2010 Western Gulf sale. But, we could see some surprises if residual pent-up interest has carried over from 2011.  All in all, I am hoping for a healthy sale.”

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ABOUT NOIA
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 275 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.

For Immediate Release:   Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Contact:  Nicolette Nye, (202) 347-6900, nicolette@nullnoia.org

 

NOIA Congratulates Shell on Completion of Historic Drilling Season Offshore Alaska

 

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Randall Luthi today issued the following statement congratulating Shell on their successful completion of drilling operations this summer in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas in Alaska:

 

“Today we congratulate Shell on the completion of a successful and historic drilling season offshore Alaska.    This is an important achievement for Shell, for the offshore industry and for the nation.    Shell conducted the first drilling we’ve seen in offshore Alaska in decades; and in two sites simultaneously.   With all the necessary permits in hand, Shell drilled preparatory wells in both the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas safely and responsibly.    Shell’s perseverance and success in the region should be encouraging to our entire industry.  We congratulate Shell on their success, and look forward to the completion of their exploration process next year.”

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ABOUT NOIA
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 275 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.