IADC and allies applaud US House’s effort to improve OCS leasing plan through H.R. 6082

Note to editors: For more information, contact Brian Petty, IADC executive vice president-government affairs at 202-293-0670.

Houston, 25 July, 2012 – The International Association of Drilling Contractors and its allies find significant improvements in H.R. 6082, the Congressional Replacement of President Obama’s Energy Restricting and Job Limiting Offshore Drilling Plan, over the current administration’s final Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2012-2017.

In a joint letter to U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, which has jurisdiction over OCS leasing, and which reported H.R. 6082 to the full House, IADC, the American Petroleum Institute, National Ocean Industries Association and the Independent Petroleum Association of America wrote, “The provisions in H.R. 6082 propose a more robust offshore leasing program that would encourage a greater number of offshore projects, resulting in greater growth in domestic oil and natural gas production and create jobs in far greater numbers than could be expected from the Administration’s final program.”

Importantly, H.R. 6082, if enacted into law, will begin the process of determining how to lease and develop federal resources offshore Virginia. “It is through drilling exploration activities in the new areas provided by HR 6082 that will lead the country to greater energy security,” the letter reads.

About IADC

IADC is dedicated to enhancing the interests of oil-and-gas and geothermal drilling contractors worldwide. IADC’s contract-drilling members own most of the world’s land and offshore drilling units and drill the vast majority of the wells that produce the planet’s oil and gas. IADC’s membership also includes oil-and-gas producers, and manufacturers and suppliers of oilfield equipment and services. 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. IADC holds Accredited Observer status at the International Maritime Organization and the International Seabed Authority, specialized agencies of the United Nations. The Association is a leader in developing standards for industry training, notably its Well Control Accreditation Program (WellCAP)® and rig-floor orientation program, RIG PASS®. IADC is headquartered in Houston and has offices in Washington D.C., the Netherlands, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as chapters in the UK, Venezuela, Brazil, Australasia, South Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and across the United States. For more information, visit the IADC website at www.iadc.org.