The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) have formed two new task forces to address oil spill preparedness and response.

'A recurring theme raised by the ongoing spill in the Gulf of Mexico is that the technology exists to drill successfully in deeper and deeper water, but the technology to respond to the release of oil in these environments appears not to have kept pace,' said NOIA President Randall Luthi. 'These new task forces will address that question and others.' Luthi introduced the idea of the task forces during testimony before the House Natural Resources Committee last month.

'Independent oil and natural gas producers hold 90 percent of the offshore leases. Offshore energy production is a safety net against increased reliance on foreign oil, but with this production comes important responsibilities like protecting the safety of our workforce and employing every technology possible to care for the environment. These new task forces will help us achieve these goals while creating jobs, producing American energy and creating an important revenue stream for local, state and federal treasuries,' said IPAA President and CEO Barry Russell.

The task forces will review the ongoing spill response actions both on the surface and subsea and will make recommendations on how to improve future response and containment efforts.

The task forces will seek input from top academics and researchers, state and federal agencies and fellow trade associations, among others. Findings and recommendations of the task forces will be shared with Congress, the Presidential Investigative Commission, the industry and the public at large.

NOIA and IPAA look forward to working with the administration and members of Congress on this initiative.

Tags: Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA)