IAGC News

New IAGC Executive Board For Austral Branch

The Austral Branch of the IAGC recently announced their new Executive Board, valid for the next 12 months. Paul Young of WesternGeco will take over from John Stanton in the position of Chairman, with Martin Bawden of PGS filling the Vice Chairman role. David Bush of Veritas assumed the role of Treasurer, and Exploration Consultants' John Stanton is the society's new Secretary.

"Andy Cunningham is an active Regional Chairman who has helped spur momentum in the local branches and increase the exposure of the IAGC", Young said. "Prior to his leadership, the IAGC committee met regularly but it wasn't as active as in the last twelve months".

"I feel fortunate to have the committee we have now", he continued. "We've got the continuing support of John Stanton and David Bush, both of who were on the committee last year and did a fantastic job. John in particular should be given a lot of credit for our activity in the last year."

"Martin Bawden coming in as Vice Chairman should help maintain the momentum of the IAGC. Martin's keen to take on some of the issues, particularly those we have with the government and some of the oil companies."

"Internationally, there has been a proposed re-alignment of the IAGC operating structure. It has been recognised that the organisation has the potential to be stronger, more adaptive and more efficient if the authority and the decision-making power is moved away from the central headquarters. The IAGC proposes to make the organisation more internationally balanced and give the regional chapters an equal say in decision-making and activities that are being dealt with globally", Paul said.

For some time the IAGC has been recognised for their input into health and safety issues, often referred to in the tender documents of oil companies. But their increased involvement in environmental issues over the last year has seen their public profile and, consequently, their overall strength, increase dramatically. The IAGC has become a key player in two topical issues locally data release guidelines that form part of the PSLA, and Environment Australia's guidelines pertaining to the use of seismic around marine wildlife – particularly cetaceans.

Young said that the IAGC had approached the DISR over their concern generated by the release of speculative data. "The issue related to the length of time before non-exclusive data became open-file and specifically, to the requirements to submit 2D data from the 3D data within two years, at a 2km x 2km grid", Young said. "The IAGC has concerns about what size the 2D grid should be, and also the release times. These criteria affect the business of IAGC members and their potential return on investment regarding the acquiring and licensing of non-exclusive data."

"If oil companies have access to the 2D data at a finely spaced grid soon (two years) after it was acquired, the data could be used for drilling decisions, ultimately affecting the value of the 3D data", Young explained.

The IAGC has, and is continuing, to discuss the issue with the DISR. Young commented: "Obviously it is in the interest of APPEA and the oil companies to have access to the data as soon as possible. But what they must understand is that geophysical companies invest substantial amounts of money to undertake the non-exclusive surveys offshore Australia, and we require a long enough time frame to have the data licensed to oil companies so as to achieve an adequate return on the investment made. If geophysical contractors can't get the return on their investment, it could make Australia a not-so-attractive place to undertake non-exclusive surveys. Different countries have different requirements – some aren't so stringent."

The IAGC's second point of focus over the past 12 months has been the controversy surrounding the acquisition of seismic data in areas frequented, or thought to be frequented, by cetaceans – particularly, whales.

"When Environment Australia's EPBC Act came into force last year it left a grey area as to how it affected, not just seismic, but the oil industry in general", Young commented. APPEA initiated the creation of guidelines that would cover activities such as seismic surveys and other industry procedures. While not involved from the outset, the IAGC insisted on being involved in the process which, Young said, had a direct impact on the way in which IAGC members conduct their business.

"Once the EA and APPEA recognised we had a lot to contribute, the three organisations worked well together", Young said. The IAGC head office, in Houston, keeps a library of international studies related to industry practices, regardless of whether they are directly involved with the issue at hand. They provided the Austral branch with a wealth of information about cetacean monitoring and the effects of seismic sound systems on cetaceans and other marine life. "It helped show EA and APPEA that the issue was not new - there had been a lot of work done around the world, and we needed to look at it more closely before setting any guidelines for Australia."

We've been able to help the EA and APPEA establish guidelines, which are now on the web awaiting public comment."

"The IAGC is still formally evaluating the guidelines, but my personal opinion is that while they were initially too prescriptive, they're moving in the right direction now. We prefer that they are based more on a risk assessment type approach rather than being set guidelines on what companies can and can't do."

Young credits part of the trio of organisations' success to Tony Bigwood at EA and APPEA's Peter Taylor, both of who, he says, listened to the IAGC's comments and ensured the organisations worked together as a team.

The IAGC has enjoyed increased exposure and public recognition as a result of their involvement in such critical issues. "Organisations like EA and APPEA are realising that the IAGC has a wealth of knowledge and experience that will see the industry move forward", Young commented. "A sign of this recognition came when we were asked to attend the APPEA geophysical operations committee at this year's APPEA conference. We hope that APPEA will continue to invite the IAGC to attend the geophysical operations committee meeting in the future." Young, Bawden and Stanton took part in the committee as representatives of the IAGC.

As part of the IAGC's 2001 initiatives, a government liaison committee will be established. "Last year our two main issues of concern saw us deal extensively with government departments, so through the new liaison committee we hope to become more involved in other government-related issues that may affect us", he said.

"Last year we started to get involved in some tax issues related to diesel fuel rebates. Some geophysical contractors had dealt with some issues regarding the rebate privately, and they shared their experiences with us. In the future, when similar issues arise, we would like to make ourselves available to help geophysical service companies. I think the IAGC can take up the cause with a lot more strength than an individual or small groups, and, if we make progress, can relay the news to other vendors in the industry", Young explained.

The organisation is hoping to increase its membership numbers and will be initiating a membership drive in the near future but, already, Young has received correspondence from individuals, or individuals representing companies, who want to be involved in the activities of the IAGC. "In the past we have always had to work to entice companies to become involved but now they're coming to us", Young said.

The IAGC's growing membership, which includes major companies such as PGS, CGG WesternGeco and Veritas, is further evidence of the society's increasing public recognition. "All the major geophysical contractors are represented within the Asia Pacific committee", Young said. "It's no longer just one or two companies – they're all getting involved."

While the IAGC is strengthened by the membership of the major contracting companies, Young encourages smaller companies to take up membership. "If you look at the membership of the Austral branch, there are a lot of small companies and individual consultants represented."

Young is also considering the possibility of professional industry-related societies, such as ASEG, having a representative as an IAGC member.

The IAGC remains committed to the needs of the geophysical consultants they represent, so the society's 2001 agenda will include the issue of voting. The committee will consider different types of memberships, so as to ensure interests of oil companies and other industries do not sway the IAGC's viewpoint when voting is necessary.

"We are not making the IAGC an elite group of any sort, and we will keep our work open, but we have to keep going back to the purpose of the IAGC – to represent the view of the geophysical consultants", he said.

IAGC Elects New Leaders

The International Association of Geophyscial Contractors (IAGC) has elected two geophysical veterans to lead the association during 2001 – 2002.

Doug Elrod, Director of Corporate Strategy for IndigoPool.com, has been elected Chairman of the Board, and Shawn Rice, Manager QHSE for WesternGeco, is the new Vice Chairman and Chairman-elect. Both are based in Houston, Texas.

Charles Darden is the IAGC's full-time President, Michael Covil is Vice President and Board member Brian Anderson serves as Secretary/Treasurer.