IAGC appeal successful as IBLA Remands to BOEM Atlantic seismic permit applications for consideration

Houston, TX, May 15, 2017 -- The International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC) President Nikki Martin today issued the following statement regarding the DOI Interior Board of Land Appeal’s (IBLA) decision to remand to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for further consideration the appealed permit applications for seismic surveying of the U.S. Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf and to deny all pending motions to intervene:

 “Today’s decision, following the memorandum issued from BOEM last week, successfully concludes the appeal of the previous Administration’s arbitrary and overtly political decision to deny pending seismic permit applications for the U.S. Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf.  We look forward to the agency expeditiously considering these applications pursuant to Secretarial Order 3350 and consistent with the purpose of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to “insure that the extent of oil and natural gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf is assessed at the earliest practicable time.” 43 U.S.C. § 1802(9). 

 “The IAGC, together with six member companies, TGS, PGS, WesternGeco, CGG, Spectrum and GXT/ION, appealed the arbitrary permit denials to the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) in March.  Following the memorandum, the IBLA remanded the permit applications to BOEM and dismissed all pending motions in the appeals of the Atlantic permit applications.

 “As this Administration has recognized, new data acquisition in the Atlantic is imperative to comprehensive and long-term energy planning.  Contrary to misinformation, seismic and other geophysical surveys have been successfully conducted in the Atlantic OCS and around the world for over 50 years without significant impact to marine mammal populations or coastal ecosystems.

 “We applaud the Administration for demonstrating its commitment to the timely and lawful processing of these permits, some of which were filed as long as nine years ago.”

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 46 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. 

Learn more about the value of the oil and gas and geophysical industry at www.CrudeAwakenings.com.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3ee6ecc8-20e8-4f69-afb6-5fcd9aa831cf

Gail Adams-Jackson
International Association of Geophysical Contractors
+1 713-957-8080
[email protected]