Business News for the week of 24 June 2013

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Settlement in Gulf of Mexico air-gun suit

24 June 2013—A settlement between a coalition of conservation groups (the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Gulf Restoration Network, the Center for Biological Diversity, and the Sierra Club) and the U.S. Department of the Interior and representatives of the oil and gas industry, regarding the use of air guns, was announced in late June.

U.S. District Judge Joe Zainey will now decide whether to approve the agreement which would settle a 2010 lawsuit.

Following are links to press releases which give the perspectives of three of the major parties in the suit: the NRDC, the International Association of Geophysical Contractors, and the American Petroleum Institute.

 

American Geophysical Union releases revised position statement on ocean research

25 June 2013—The American Geophysical Union released a revised version of its position statement on ocean research. Titled, "Ocean Research and Education Are Foundations for Economic Growth," the statement declares, "Investments in ocean research and education benefit the economic well-being of nations through greater understanding of devastating environmental hazards, sustainable use of ocean resources, safer and efficient maritime transportation, and a healthier ocean environment for a changing world." The statement is global in its scope, offering examples from the USA of the economic value of the ocean.

 

Statoil executive Helge Hove Haldorsen named 2015 president of the Society of Petroleum Engineers

25 June 2013—The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has named Helge Hove Haldorsen, vice president of strategy and portfolio for Statoil Development and Production North America, as the 2015 SPE president. Haldorsen, who is based in Houston, USA, will take office as president-elect on 2 October 2013 at the close of SPE's Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans, USA.

 

EMGS awarded major 3D EM contract

26 June 2013—Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA has been awarded a contract worth approximately US $100 million by one of the world's largest oil companies.

It is expected that 3D electromagnetic data acquisition will start in early September 2013, following mobilization of the vessel BOA Galatea in the second half of August.