Transcript SEG Workshop October 20 th 2016 Dallas, TX

Navigating Regulation & Misinformation:
Advancing the Geophysical Industry in a
Complex Regulatory Environment
IAGC – SEG Workshop
October 20th 2016
Dallas, TX
Introduction to IAGC
• Global trade association for geophysical contactors since 1971
• Members provide geophysical services to the O&G industry – 120+
member companies
• Standards and best practices with emphasis on HSSE
– Safety Manuals, statistics, best practices
• Government issues - Legislative and Regulatory
– Environment – Possible effects of operations on terrestrial and
marine wildlife
– Access Issues
– Protecting freedom to operate
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IAGC Mission/Vision Statement
Mission:
• IAGC optimizes 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.
Vision:
• To be the most credible and effective voice for promoting
and ensuring a safe, environmentally responsible and
competitive geophysical industry.
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Statutes (Legislative)
• Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
– Takes; Level A, Level B
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
– Major Federal Actions
– Analysis of potential environmental impacts
• Endangered Species Act (ESA)
– Sec. 3(19) "The term 'take' means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound,
kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct."
• Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA)
– Section 12, withdraw areas from leasing – permanently?
• National Marine Sanctuaries Act
– Restrictions on multiple-use offshore
– Buffer zones?
• Antiquities Act
– Restrictions on multiple-use onshore and offshore
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Regulations (Administrative)
• Agencies
– Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
– National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
– Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
• Deference
– Federal Agencies are given latitude to interpret laws when no
specific direction is provided
– Often leads to precautionary rule making
• Guidance
– Intended to direct regulators on applying regulations
• IAGC Actions
– Comments/Meetings/Relationships
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Courts (Judicial)
• Gulf of Mexico
– NRDC settlement includes non-scientific mitigation
requirements
• 9th Circuit (Western U.S.)
– Navy use of LF sonar violates ‘least practicable
impact’ standard under MMPA
– Applies precautionary principle in ruling
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Environmental NGOs
• Extreme Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
employ propaganda and use the courts to push an antienergy agenda
• Budgets are vast (Millions USD):
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NRDC………………………………..$246.72
Oceana………………………………$39.32
Greenpeace, Inc. (Intl.)…………….$65.80
Sierra Club…………………………..$131.70
CBD………………………………….$17.11
World Wildlife Fund………………...$289.40
• IAGC Actions
– Lobbying/Courts/Scientific Research
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