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The NewsRoom
Release: 4021
Date: August 14, 2009
MMS Changing Proprietary Term of Certain Geophysical Information
Geophysical Data Extension from Exploration of the Outer Continental Shelf
WASHINGTON –
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s
Minerals Management Service (MMS) yesterday published a final rule
in the Federal Register that will enable companies to request
extensions to the length of time the agency treats their data as
proprietary.
The new rule
provides the opportunity for companies to apply for an extension to
the proprietary term for data collected through geophysical
operations under permit, e.g., seismic surveys. Currently, the MMS
treats such data as proprietary for a term of 25 years. The new
rule, which will take effect September 14, 2009, will allow
companies to request a five year extension to that term under
certain conditions.
“In today’s energy
environment,” said MMS Associate Director, Offshore Energy and
Minerals Management Chris Oynes, “it is imperative that we develop
our domestic resources responsibly. This new rule will encourage
companies to reprocess old data using new technology and modeling
systems to gain a better understanding of the resources available on
the Outer Continental Shelf.”
The new rule was
designed to allow companies sufficient time to market geophysical
information that may not otherwise have been reprocessed.
“The opportunity to
apply for an extension to the proprietary term provides greater
potential for a company to realize the commercial benefits of the
data they’ve analyzed,” Oynes said. Because the companies are
required to share the data with the MMS, it also will give us a
better understanding of available resources and will enable us to
make more informed decisions regarding offshore energy development.”
The final rule can be found at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-19198.pdf
Contact:
Leann Bullin
(703) 787-1755
MMS: Securing Ocean Energy & Economic Value for America
U.S. Department of the Interior
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Last Updated:
09/11/2009,
01:07 PM
Central Time
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