Adding Value for Geophysical Companies

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1 International Association of Geophysical Contractors Headquarters 1225 North Loop West, Suite 220 Houston, Texas 77008, U.S.A. T F Join IAGC and let your voice be heard. As a member, you ll work with IAGC to ensure that association efforts and resources are directed at those matters that are of greatest value to you and to our industry. Active industry participation is and always will be the association s foundation and strength. In May 2009, some of the IAGC staff visited Geokinetics Crew #304, which was operating about 20 miles outside of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Pictured above are (from left to right) Angela Verzal (IAGC), Walt Rosenbusch (IAGC), Ram Macias (Geokinetics), Criss Rennie (IAGC), Jim White (Geokinetics and current IAGC Chairman), and Chip Gill (IAGC). Adding Value for Geophysical Companies IAGC President Chip Gill describes the role of the IAGC and how it brings value to its members. IAGC is the international trade association that represents the industry providing geophysical services to the oil and gas industry. This includes geophysical data acquisition, data ownership and licensing, data processing and interpretation, and associated services and product providers. Some readers might be surprised that IAGC staff members have little direct expertise in geophysics. Our philosophy is that our members are the technical experts, and there is no way that we could, or would want to, try to know the business better than them. By contrast, our small team brings special expertise in government relations and lobbying. I started my career in drilling, but subsequently spent 11 years managing government relations for two oil companies before joining the IAGC. Walt Rosenbusch, one of our two Vice Presidents, was previously a Director of the Minerals Management Service (MMS), a U.S. government agency that manages the nation s offshore oil, gas and other mineral resources. Our other Vice President, Sarah Tsoflias, is a scientist but not a geophysicist. She has extensive experience in the marine environment area, focusing particularly on investigations into the potential effects of 4th Qtr 2009 ISSUE 2 underwater sound on marine life. In the current economic climate, IAGC members might be asking themselves if the association is providing good value; I am confident that it is. One of our key functions is to facilitate the resolution of common industry challenges by developing and supporting communication structures such as committees, mailing lists and bulletin boards. The value of the communications comes from membership participation and individual expertise. When members identify a problem affecting the industry, the IAGC can add value by helping to package and present strategies and solutions to address them. Much of our work focuses on monitoring and analyzing the development of government policies around the world that could impact our business, then building and executing strategies to influence policy trends in line with the operational needs of our members. To date, these efforts have mostly related to regulations for conducting geophysical surveys and the ownership of non-exclusive data. Another core focus is the development and communication of industry best-practices, including HSE, geophysical operations and educational activities. The IAGC also supports IN THIS ISSUE How the IAGC Works page 2 IAGC Regional Chapters page 2 IAGC Global Committees page 4 HSE and Security page 4 Sound and the Marine Environment page 6 Data Licensing page 8 Education page 10 Meet the Staff page 10 The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Chip Gill, President IAGC initiatives relating to the commercial health of the geophysical service industry, such as developing model contracts, statements of principles, and communicating broad industry messages to the global client base of hydrocarbon exploration and development (E&P) companies. IAGC also provides an extensive reference library, providing members with up-todate information about issues such as the marine environment and local operating regulations around the world. Membership participation is the key to our effectiveness. Our members are operating in every hydrocarbon producing country in the world, so they are best able to monitor local developments. The IAGC enables dialogue within the industry to discuss potential challenges in particular countries, agree on a strategy, and effectively present the industry s case to governments without the distraction, and potential or perceived conflict of interest, of direct commercial benefit. Together we can be much more effective in solving industry challenges. As in so many areas of life and business, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Our collective voice is louder than any individual company, and can therefore be more influential. To learn more about the mission and vision of the IAGC and how it adds value for members, visit

2 How the IAGC Works The governance of the IAGC, including the composition of our Board of Directors and its basic organization, is defined in bylaws.* The Association currently has 14 Core Members and 98 Supporting Members all companies involved in activities related to the geophysical services industry. The activities and annual budget of IAGC are defined annually by our Board. The Board also sets out governance policies and guidance in its Board Guidelines.* IAGC s Board currently comprises 17 directors who are representatives of the Core Member companies as well as the Chairmen of the three local chapters: Americas, Asia-Pacific, and EAME. A robust process has been developed to help the Board define the activities of the IAGC through a value test of potential issues. To be considered, issues must have a direct monetary impact on the specific activities of Core Members. Issues likely to affect a broad range of industries or activities would not pass this test, nor would those with a low probability of IAGC Regional Chapters To help carry out our mission and vision around the world, the IAGC manages our affairs through Chapters that cover three regions: Americas, Asia-Pacific (AP), and Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME). Each Chapter is governed by a Chair, who comes from a Core Member company, IAGC Chapters Ame r i ca s EAME As i a-pacific Eastern U.S. Executive Executive /Gulf Coast Western U.S. Norway India Lands Americas Seismic Indonesia Offshore Contractors Data Data Austral Licensing Licensing Brazil Non-Exclusive Surveys success. Finally, activities and initiatives will only be undertaken if members commit to actively support them. The IAGC s efforts are providing excellent value to the industry. Jim White, Geokinetics, Houston, and IAGC Chair We are accountable for our actions, focusing on what is important for the and each has developed an organizational structure of committees suited to the specific issues of each region. The Americas Data Licensing Committee (ADLC) is one of the most active of the IAGC regional committees, based on the high levels of E&P activity in the Gulf of Mexico, onshore U.S. and Canada. The committee monitors industry, governmental and legal developments relating to data disclosure and confidentiality regulations, intellectual property rights and licensing practices as they affect non-exclusive geophysical data in these areas. The committee was responsible for the rewrite of the IAGC standard Master Geophysical Data-Use License agreement in 2003 and has made revisions since then as industry practices change, says John Adamick, TGS, Houston and Chair of the ADLC. One industry as a whole, and not just a few of its members, says Jim White, Geokinetics, Houston, and IAGC Chair But we cannot be effective without the participation of our members. In these tough times our industry is being challenged to keep profitable. Our clients are driven to reduce costs, but the value we bring to E&P is still there and deserves appropriate reward. It is more important than ever that we make our collective voice heard, and I feel strongly that the IAGC s efforts are providing excellent value to the industry. *available at of the main goals of the committee is to monitor industry practices and determine where there are consistent patterns of violation. The committee then tries to clarify, strengthen, or modify the language in the master license agreement to address the conflict area. One of the main goals of the committee is to monitor industry practices and determine where there are consistent patterns of violation. John Adamick, TGS, Houston and Chair, Americas Data Licensing Committee The Americas Offshore Committee is also very busy. It monitors governmental issues affecting marine geophysical operations, which must adhere to increasingly strict border control regulations. It also facilitates communication between competing marine acquisition companies to minimize the impact of vessel time-sharing in congested work areas such as the Gulf of Mexico. The Western U.S. Lands Committee, based in Denver, focuses on operations in several highly environmentally sensitive areas, many owned by the federal government. Conservation and protection of antiquities are key issues here, and the development and application of best practices by every acquisition company is key to the sustainability of geophysical operations in these areas. Thanks to members taking a firm stand, we have also made visible progress in discouraging operators from holding reverse auctions for seismic contracts. Rodney Bligh, CGGVeritas, Singapore, and Chair, IAGC Asia-Pacific Chapter The EAME Seismic Contractors Committee comprises member companies involved in land and marine seismic data acquisition, seismic data processing and multi-client seismic services in the region. It usually meets four times a year and has played a leading role in the development of key IAGC documents such as safety and environmental manuals for worldwide geophysical operations. Recent activities include the formulation of workboat guidelines, timeshare guidelines and formulating e-procurement principles that apply to seismic processing tenders. The committee lobbies governments at national and European Union (EU) levels on issues such as employment regulations and licensing regimes, and provides input to the ongoing debate on the interaction between seismic activities and marine mammals. The IAGC is alive and well in Asia- Pacific, says Rodney Bligh, CGGVeritas, Singapore, and recent Past Chair of the Regional Chapter. More explorers than ever before are out here investing in modern seismic and finding that our technology is enabling them to report regular oil and gas discoveries to their contented shareholders. As in other regions, data licensing is a key issue in AP, and the Chapter has had some success in influencing local governments. United action by members of the Austral Subchapter and the Non-Exclusive Subcommittee in 2008 helped to bring about a change in Australian law extending the confidentiality period for nonexclusive seismic (NES) to 15 years, which has already resulted in several large NES surveys there by members. Bligh is optimistic that New Zealand may soon introduce a similar change. He also notes that, Thanks to members taking a firm stand, we have made visible progress in discouraging operators from holding reverse auctions for seismic contracts. The AP Chapter s Executive Committee meets in Singapore every two months (except in summer holidays) at the same venue as the South East Asia Petroleum Exploration Society (Seapex). These meetings generally attract members, who freely share experiences of HSE and personal security risks that affect them all. Subchapters meet regularly in Australia and Indonesia to address local issues. The India subchapter is expected to increase its activity after a meeting at the Society of Petroleum Geophysicists (SPG) India conference in Hyderabad, February Several new geophysical contractors have appeared recently in this region, says Bligh. We welcome them to join the IAGC, get to know our Chapter s members, and make their own contribution to our common benefit. 2 the VOICE of the Geophysical Industry the VOICE of the Geophysical Industry 3

3 IAGC Global Committees The IAGC supports several committees that address common industry challenges on a global scale. These committees work closely with regional committees to coordinate efforts and share solutions. The IAGC believes that fair and open competition among geophysical contractors and their vendors and customers is the best means to a strong and vital industry. Our committees adhere to policies and guidelines designed to assure that activities do not violate any antitrust or competition laws. Activities focus on mutually beneficial activities such as the development of proposed standards and the collection of industry statistical data. All actions recommended by the IAGC are voluntary, not mandatory, and each geophysical contractor or data licensing company is free to make its own individual marketplace decision on whether to follow any recommendation. The Global HSE Steering Committee facilitates the sharing of experiences between companies, soliciting industry best practices, establishing standards and managing HSE communications. It launched the Land and Marine Step Change in Safety initiatives and is responsible for the management of teams addressing marine environment issues, such as the IAGC Global Sound & Marine Life Workgroup. IAGC Global Committees HSE & Security Steering Marine Step Change Land Step Change Data Licensing Human Resources Commercial Health Responsible for global HSE standards and guidelines. Managing a worldwide initiative for safety in marine seismic operations. Managing a worldwide initiative for safety in land and TZ operations. Coordinating worldwide data confidentiality terms. Developing best practices, especially for recruitment and retention, and coordinating an annual salary survey. Coordinating efforts for commercial health and safety awareness in the geophysical business. 4 the VOICE of the Geophysical Industry The Data Licensing Committee monitors industry, governmental and legal developments relating to data disclosure and confidentiality regulations, intellectual property rights and licensing practices as they affect the non-exclusive geophysical data business. It maintains recommended guidelines and model contractual language, educates government and industry on data licensing issues, and provides a forum for debate through appropriate conferences and workshops. The Human Resources Committee provides the opportunity for staff specialists within member companies to discuss and develop the most effective and efficient human resources practices within the industry, especially toward recruitment and retention of a motivated, talented and well-trained geophysical workforce. It sponsors appropriate conferences and workshops on HR issues and coordinates the efforts of an outside consulting firm in conducting annual industry wage and benefits surveys. The Commercial Health Committee is comprised of the senior executives of several IAGC Core Member companies. The committee directs IAGC programs and initiatives affecting the commercial health of the geophysical industry. HSE & Security HSE is a key issue in the geophysical industry, and one of the key objectives of the IAGC is to promote, support and facilitate excellence in HSE performance. This objective is reflected in the IAGC s Mission and Vision, and also institutionalized in the Association s Bylaws, with the phrases to promote the conduct of business in a professional, safe and environmentally responsible manner through the development and promotion of standards and best practices. to promote the conduct of business in a professional, safe and environmentally responsible manner. IAGC Bylaws The practical efforts of the IAGC in this area are led through the Global HSE & Security Steering Committee (GHSSC). All major land and marine geophysical contractors are members, bringing an unrivalled breadth of understanding of geophysical operations, developments in the business, and emerging HSE & Security issues. The Association maintains and develops Safety Manuals, one pertaining to Land operations and the other to Marine. These are developed by members and updated regularly. The current manuals (Version 9, 2004) are available from the IAGC website in English, Spanish and Russian. Development of Version 10 is currently underway, is scheduled for publication in Q1 2010, and will include a new section addressing Security. These manuals are widely used and relied upon within the seismic industry and are recognized by other sectors of the E&P business. Hard copies are pocket size for field personnel to carry. Other IAGC HSE related publications include Personal Medical Passports, an Environmental Manual for Worldwide Geophysical Operations, and several safety training and educational videos and CDs. All publications are available via the IAGC website, which also provides Guidelines and Standards for specific operational issues such as detonators, minimum offset distances, vehicle center of gravity / vehicle roll over and helicopter transportation. When HSE issues and incidences occur during daily operations, member companies are encouraged to submit alerts to the IAGC. These are posted on the Association website and distributed to members by , to share and learn from each others experiences. Industry HSE statistics (anonymous) are compiled annually and presented as graphs and charts that reveal trends in HSE performance since High Potential Incidences (HiPos) are presented by member companies at IAGC/OGP Joint Global HSE & Security Forums. These forums, held twice each year, are open to IAGC and OGP members and non-members. They provide a platform for discussing areas of mutual interest and importance, emerging issues, sharing experiences and best practices and promoting a common understanding within the industry. Presentations of HiPos include details of the incidents, root causes and recommendations for the industry. There are areas of great success in sharing; collaboration; and joint industry research. Charles Jeffrey, PGS, Chair of the Global HSE & Security Steering Committee The past 3 meetings - held in Houston, USA, Calgary, Canada and Weybridge, United Kingdom have been extremely well attended by IAGC and OGP member company HSE professionals. There is a very good cooperation between the IAGC and OGP in sharing best practice, which can only help reduce incidents, save lives and improve industry efficiency, says Charles Jeffrey, PGS, Oslo and Chair of the GHSSC. There are areas of great success in sharing, collaboration, and joint industry research. Another Association collaboration with the OGP is the development of the Aide Memoir for Geophysical Risk Assessors a database of fatalities that have occurred during geophysical operations. Before commencing a project, assessments of safety risks are undertaken by HSE professionals to develop risk mitigation plans. But these assessments require knowledge of the potential risks a memory function. The Aide Memoir database is hosted on IAGC s website and constantly updated. It currently contains details of more than 522 fatalities that have occurred in over 320 incidents dating back to These tragic losses occurred because the risks were not recognized and/ or adequately mitigated. Unfortunately, with the great crew change that is taking place today, individual memory is being lost. Collecting and sharing this information ensures that the collective memory remains and is available. This is an example of how the geophysical industry, by pooling our knowledge and resources through IAGC, adds value that will be important to our industry and our workforce for the foreseeable future. The IAGC is working with the OGP on several other HSE-related activities. These include developing guidelines related to tendering, contracting, transportation, and the use of aircraft. The Association and OGP are working with the International See SAFETY on page 7 the VOICE of the Geophysical Industry 5

4 Sound and the Marine Environment The oceans are home to a diverse ecosystem and serve competing uses including mineral resource operations, shipping, fishing, tourism and recreation. IAGC members are committed to conducting their offshore activities in an environmentally responsible manner. Seismic survey operations are a source of anthropogenic sound in the marine environment, and the potential effects of this sound on marine mammals, fish and turtles has received increased scrutiny over the years from regulators, environmental non-governmental organizations and the public. After more than three decades of worldwide seismic surveying and several research projects, there is no scientific evidence of direct physical injury to a marine mammal from seismic operations. Nevertheless, mitigation measures are commonly implemented to reduce the potential risk of harm to mammals and other marine life. These mitigation measures can significantly affect our industry s operations and cost, and concerns about the issue may restrict the E&P industry s ability to access areas for oil and gas exploration and production. There is considerable uncertainty about the effect of anthropogenic sound on marine life. Through the support and participation of its members, the IAGC is participating in a research program to address gaps in knowledge and reduce uncertainty by providing technical and financial support for scientific research. The Association also participates in international conferences and workshops, provides information on geophysical operations to stakeholders, and comments on regulatory and environmental documents. It interacts with governments to encourage the use of the current, best available science in developing policies and regulations. The IAGC Sound & Marine Life (SML) Workgroup is a mechanism through which members can address issues related to sound and the marine environment that are specific to the geophysical industry. It provides a forum for the exchange of information and best practices between companies and organizations, and the formulation of collective industry comments on proposed mitigation measure guidelines and other documents. It has built and maintains a marine environment information database resource available to members via the IAGC website. The SML Workgroup has developed documents, such as Recommended Mitigation Measures for Cetaceans during Geophysical Operations, to provide guidance to members regarding mitigation measures and to demonstrate IAGC members commitment to minimizing potential impacts of sound from seismic sources on cetaceans. The IAGC is also working collectively with the E&P Industry globally to address the issue. Together with the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP), it has formed the Joint OGP/IAGC Sound & Marine Life Task Force. The Task Force is developing tools for use by industry such as position papers and technical papers for example the 2008 report Fundamentals of Underwater Sound, available via the IAGC website. The Task Force has created a communications strategy which identifies key messages related to the SML issues, the target audiences and the materials needed to effectively communicate technical information to a variety of audiences. In the U.S. the IAGC is working with the API Marine Wildlife Issues Group, which is organized to be the E&P industry s focal point for the sound and marine life and related issues, including marine sanctuaries. Activities include action on government s ongoing consideration and development of U.S. policy and regulations, such as the proposed national ocean policy. API-IAGC workshops on marine seismic and marine sound issues were organized in Washington (November 2008) and Houston (March 2009), attended by representatives from E&P companies, geophysical companies and trade associations. The IAGC is proactively engaged with the government agencies around the world who are responsible for regulating the offshore petroleum industry and developing measures to mitigate potential environmental impacts. Recently, IAGC has participated in meetings and workshops with governments and organizations in Australia, Canada, Norway, the UK and the US. Together with 13 E&P companies, IAGC has been involved in the OGP E&P Sound & Marine Life Joint Industry Program (JIP) Phase II. The objective of this approximately $20million program is to identify operationally-focused questions that relate to the effects of E&P sound on marine life, and to pursue a research program that will test scientific hypotheses and produce the data needed to address these questions. For more information, go to www. soundandmarinelife.org. The IAGC Marine Environment Newsletter, published every 2 months, provides members with up-to-date information on activities related to marine environment issues and specifically, the sound and marine life issue. These activities include active IAGC engagement and discussions with government agencies, international organizations, and other industry associations; providing technical support and oversight for various industry supported research projects; and communication and educational efforts. The newsletters also include a calendar of upcoming conferences and meetings. Roadmap for Members: Marine Environment IAGC has developed a Sound and Marine Environment Discussion Roadmap to assist those new to the issue or others who would like to become more involved in this issue. The Roadmap is available at SAFETY from page 5 Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPECA) to identify, prioritize, and develop guidance and recommendations on a range of strategic, occupational, environmental and public health issues relevant to seismic operations. The IAGC and OGP are also working with the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) to include references for marine seismic operations in their audit guide for marine vessels. The IAGC Land and Marine Step Change initiatives are directing the geophysical industry s efforts to achieve dramatic improvements in HSE and Security performance within the land and marine seismic acquisition business on a worldwide basis. Committees, workgroups and networks have been established to create fresh and innovative approaches to stimulate new thinking and continuous awareness of HSE within as wide a section of the seismic industry as possible, communicate Step Change progress and efforts, and coordinate with other industry bodies involved in HSE initiatives. The collective information that IAGC gathers provides valuable training material and enables use of the entire industry s experience, rather than the limited experience of a single company or individual. This practice of collecting industry-wide information makes IAGC safety materials more thorough and provides the most comprehensive source of information for the safety of geophysical employees. 6 the VOICE of the Geophysical Industry the VOICE of the Geophysical Industry 7

5 Data Licensing Geophysical and subsurface information such as seismic, well log, gravity and magnetic data are the primary tools used in oil and gas exploration and, as such, are critical to the successful discovery and efficient development and production of hydrocarbons. Non-exclusive (also know as speculative or multi-client ) data has become an integral part of the exploration, development and production process for E&P companies, and geophysical companies have invested vast amounts of capital in the acquisition, processing and reprocessing of non-exclusive geophysical data. Hundreds of millions of dollars are invested annually worldwide, and the value of the cumulative investment of data still owned and used today is measured in billions. The business model for non-exclusive geophysical data takes advantage of economies of scale by spreading the costs of data acquisition and processing over time and among multiple customers who desire to make use of the same information. Under this model the geophysical company initiates and conducts projects of general industry interest at its own financial risk. Restricted non-transferable data user licenses are then sold to individual E&P companies for a fraction of the cost they would otherwise incur for acquiring and processing the data exclusively. Used properly, this model offers significant economic benefits to all stakeholders in the process. For host governments, non-exclusive data helps to realize the value of national resources by lowering entry barriers for E&P companies, providing information about potential prospects, promoting licensing rounds and encouraging competition in the development of reserves. The terms of the restricted data user licenses are typically governed by Master License Agreements between the geophysical company (the data owner) and the licensee (the E&P company). The basic premise of these license agreements is that the geophysical data (as well as certain products derived directly from the data) constitute valuable intellectual property (IP) of the geophysical company. The agreements grant certain usage rights to the licensee that are considered reasonable and customary, while generally prohibiting certain types of disclosure which could damage the future economic potential of the data for its owner. In recent years several host governments, including Australia, United States, Canada- Nova Scotia, Brazil and Ireland have supported or pursued aggressive policies regarding the confidentiality terms and the manner in which non-exclusive seismic data is released to the public. Changing the confidentiality terms, especially in instances where the non-exclusive seismic data has been acquired, impacts the investment model used when initiating the project and erodes the business model that supports future non-exclusive seismic investment. Through direct engagement with governments around the world, IAGC works to preserve ground rules under which the investment was made, to promote changes to facilitate future investment, and to facilitate orderly and appropriate data release. IAGC, through the regional (Americas, EAME, Asia Pacific) Data Licensing Committees, monitors industry, governmental and legal developments relating to data disclosure and confidentiality regulations, intellectual property rights and licensing practices as they affect the non-exclusive geophysical data business. These committees produce and maintain Statements of Principles, codes of practice and recommended contractual language which are publically available at This includes the Model Master Data Licensing Agreement produced for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, which was updated earlier in The committees educate government and industry on data licensing issues, and provide a forum for debate through appropriate conferences and workshops on the subject. IAGC has vigorously defended the non-exclusive business model with governments around the world through meetings, negotiations, workshops, rulemaking comments and more. By providing material explaining the business model and engaging in a dialogue with host governments as needed, we have been able to speak for the geophysical industry and change policy in several countries. Data Licensing Committee Efforts IAGC has been working with authorities in Australia since 2003 to get the confidentiality periods for non-exclusive 2D and 3D data extended in order to create a healthy investment environment for the future. After many discussions on the confidentiality terms, terms for new surveys became more favorable to data owners than before, although they are still not completely acceptable. The IAGC and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) had been in lengthy negotiations regarding the CNSOPB s unilateral decision to convert all of its non-exclusive 2D and 3D seismic data images to a digital format and to make those images available online and available for interpretation using a workstation at the CNSOPB Data Management Center. IAGC member companies have objected to the proposed scenario; in particular the inclusion of annotation on an image that could indicate the specific location of the data. Several IAGC member companies have received demand letters from the CNSOPB requesting that they submit non-exclusive seismic data to them in digital format. The IAGC has engaged an attorney in Canada to prepare a legal document asking the Canadian court to clarify CNSOPB s authority to require the submission of the data and their right to the data. The Americas Data Licensing Committee (ADLC) is primarily concerned with the protection of the IP owned by member companies in the Americas. Historically, the focus of the committee has been on the protection of data via master license agreements. It has also recently begun investigating ways to protect data physically or electronically to prevent data theft. INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GEOPHYSICAL CONTRACTORS The Voice of the Geophysical Industry For more information aboutt joining IAGC go to HEADQUARTERS We have seen a big improvement in how the MMS treats our industry since the program was initiated. John Adamick, TGS, Houston, and Chair, Americas Data Licensing Committee The ADLC interacts with government entities such as the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS), which has, in some cases, designed offshore regulations that were detrimental to the IP rights of member companies. As a result, the ADLC formed an MMS subcommittee and established a regular communications program with MMS. At twice yearly meetings, the ADLC makes technical presentations to try and educate MMS about our business and also holds business meetings with senior MMS officials. We have seen a big improvement in how the MMS treats our industry since the program was initiated, says John Adamick, TGS, Houston, and Chair of the ADLC. All the updates on Data Licensing can be found at Be part of a collective, influential voice. Join IAGC and let your voice be heard. As a member, you ll work with IAGC to ensure that association efforts and resources are directed at those matters that are of greatest value to you and to our industry. Active industry participation is and always will be the association s foundation and strength. Apply for a membership today. Call or [email protected] North Loop West, Suite 220 Houston, Texas 77008, U.S.A. T F the VOICE of the Geophysical Industry the VOICE of the Geophysical Industry 9

6 Education Meet the Staff Access Granted As part of our efforts to support member company s goals through education and effective communication, the IAGC has produced several manuals, CD s and videos in addition to websites and newsletters. We also conduct periodic workshops and attend and present at numerous international conferences with the aim of helping to educate international stakeholders and to dispel misunderstandings about the nature and effects of our operations. The IAGC has recently produced an interactive CD that provides an overview of marine geophysical operations using short narrated video clips and animations. Released in June 2009, the CD contains general information presented in terms appropriate for a non-technical audience, but also goes into more technical detail in some areas. The CD includes sections on environmental management, scientific research conducted by the industry related to sound and marine life, and seismic surveys as part of the overall E&P cycle. The new CD is a valuable tool for educating all stakeholders interested in learning about marine seismic surveys, including governments, the media, non-technical industry personnel, research scientists and the public. The CD is available to members free of charge and can be ordered from the IAGC website. If requesting multiple copies, a nominal charge will be applied to cover printing and shipping costs. This is the first release of the CD, and suggestions for additions, changes or improvements to future versions are welcomed. The IAGC has 6 full-time and 1 part-time staff. In September 2008, our offices in Houston were destroyed by Hurricane Ike. Geokinetics kindly provided temporary office space and facilities until August 2009, when staff moved into new offices at 1225 North Loop West, Suite 220, Houston, Texas Concurrent with its lease expiration, IAGC closed our London office in July 2009, saving costs for IAGC members and accommodating Barry Auther s wish to ease into retirement in the near future. Chip Gill, President Chip is responsible for all the day-to day business of the IAGC. He started his oil and gas industry career in 1977 with a summer job on a drilling rig. Upon graduation, he worked in exploration for 10 years before spending the next 12 years managing government relations efforts for ARCO and Vastar Resources. Prior to joining the IAGC in 2001, he was Vice President of Membership and Strategic Planning for the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). Walt Rosenbusch, Vice President - Projects & Issues Walt has more than 25 years of public and private sector experience in all aspects of oil and gas upstream regulatory activities. He has previously served as Director of the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS), has provided advisory services to companies on a wide-range of regulatory compliance issues and government outreach strategies, and has consulted with governments around the world on energyspecific issues. Walt supports activities including HSE, data licensing, membership and communications. Sarah Tsoflias, Vice President - Marine Environment Sarah provides expertise regarding the broad issue of industry sound and the marine environment. She coordinates global industry interactions with governments and international agencies, provides technical support for industry supported research activities, and manages educational activities to inform members and the public about the issue. Before joining the IAGC in 2007 she worked with the U.S. MMS on various aspects of the sound and marine life issue, including supporting their environmental assessment and participating in several research projects. Criss Rennie, Office Manager Criss joined IAGC in 1991 after studying Business Management at Houston Community College. Our longest tenured employee, her responsibilities include accounting, budgeting, personnel, employee benefits, insurance coverage and revenue generating events. Angela Verzal, Executive Assistant Angela joined IAGC in early 2008, bringing extensive prior experience to the position. Her responsibilities include administrative duties for the President, VP s, and office manager. In addition to providing administrative support within IAGC, Angela plans and coordinates events and meetings and provides front line support to our members. She is also involved in a number of other areas as backup support including website, database and publication orders. Tim Fransioli, Website and Database Administrator Tim joined IAGC in January 2009 after returning from Salt Lake City, UT, where he had been both a Technical Account Agent and Project Leader for a number of years. Tim s primary responsibilities include development and maintenance of our website and membership database, and publication editing and order processing. Tim also lends a hand for various administrative needs. Barry Authers, EAME Manager Barry has been with IAGC since 1995 following 25 years previous experience in land seismic operations with Seismograph Service Ltd (SSL). Barry was involved with the professional development of the IAGC website. He currently works on a part-time basis from his home office providing, among other things, support to activities and members in the EAME chapter. Website is go-to place for geophysical industry The IAGC website, is a powerful tool for communications. The site gives users easy access to content and the ability to upload updates and information, giving IAGC the most robust site in the industry. Users can: See committee agendas, read/ comment, and approve minutes Upload and receive HSE Alerts in a timely manner Quickly and easily access files and documents emanating from deliberations Quickly access guidelines and other resources made available through IAGC Register for events and order publications more efficiently Users can take advantage of easy webpage creation, editing and file uploading, which ensures the site is current, content-rich, and a valuable communications tool. Order publications online, subscribe to RSS feeds, and easily browse all articles and pages with search navigation. Also featured is a careers page and member benefits page, which highlights the value of becoming an IAGC member. Member application forms can be downloaded, completed and submitted via the website. Visit for invaluable industry information, including: Calendar of Events Committee Activity Past Newsletters Past Articles Alerts HSE and News Research Documents Reference Library Publications Educational / Training Videos HSE Statistics Standard and Guidelines HSE Statements of Principle Model Contracts > Data Licensing Agreements > Geophysical Operations 10 the VOICE of the Geophysical Industry the VOICE of the Geophysical Industry 11