[Federal Register: July 15, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 135)]
[Notices]
[Page 46540-46541]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15jy02-108]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation 332-444]
Oil and Gas Field Services: Impediments to Trade and Prospects
for Liberalization
AGENCY: International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: July 8, 2002.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on June 18, 2002, from the
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted
investigation No. 332-444, Oil and Gas Field Services: Impediments to
Trade and Prospects for Liberalization, under section 332(g) of the
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information specific to this
investigation may be obtained from Joann Tortorice,
[[Page 46541]]
Project Leader (202-205-3032; jtortorice@usitc.gov), Amanda Horan,
Deputy Project Leader (202-205-3459; ahoran@usitc.gov), or Richard
Brown, Chief, Services and Investment Division (202-205-3438;
rbrown@usitc.gov), Office of Industries, U.S. International Trade
Commission, Washington, DC, 20436. For information on the legal aspects
of this investigation, contact William Gearhart of the Office of the
General Counsel (202-205-3091; wgearhart@usitc.gov). Hearing impaired
individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained
by contacting the TDD terminal on (202) 205-1810.
Background: As requested by the USTR, in its report the Commission
will (1) describe the various activities involved in the provision of
oil and gas field services; (2) describe the nature of trade in oil and
gas field services; and (3) examine the extent of impediments to trade
and potential benefits of trade liberalization. Since oil and gas field
services are conducted in a large number of countries, USTR has
requested that the Commission's study focus on issues that could be
relevant multilaterally.
For the purpose of this study, oil and gas field services are
broadly defined to include evaluation and exploration activities;
drilling activities; and well development and completion activities.
The letter follows similar requests made by the USTR in November 1999
and February 2001 for the Commission to conduct investigations on
electric power services and natural gas services in selected foreign
markets. The Commission submitted its report on electric power services
to the USTR on November 23, 2000, and on natural gas services on
October 16, 2001. Copies of these reports may be obtained by contacting
the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000 or by accessing the USITC
Internet server ww.usitc.gov). The USTR asked that the Commission
furnish its report by March 18, 2003, and that the Commission make the
report available to the public in its entirety.
Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with the
investigation will be held at the U.S. International Trade Commission
Building, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on
October 1, 2002. All persons shall have the right to appear, by counsel
or in person, to present information and to be heard. Requests to
appear at the public hearing should be filed with the Secretary, United
States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC
20436, no later than 5:15 p.m., September 17, 2002. Any prehearing
briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed not later than 5:15
p.m., September 19, 2002; the deadline for filing post-hearing briefs
or statements is 5:15 p.m., October 22, 2002. In the event that, as of
the close of business on September 17, 2002, no witnesses are scheduled
to appear at the hearing, the hearing will be canceled. Any person
interested in attending the hearing as an observer or non-participant
may call the Secretary of the Commission (202-205-1806) after September
17, 2002, for information concerning whether the hearing will be held.
Written Submissions: In lieu of or in addition to participating in
the hearing, interested parties are invited to submit written
statements (original and 14 copies) concerning the matters to be
addressed by the Commission in its report on this investigation.
Commercial or financial information that a submitter desires the
Commission to treat as confidential must be submitted on separate
sheets of paper, each clearly marked ``Confidential Business
Information'' at the top. All submissions requesting confidential
treatment must conform with the requirements of section Sec. 201.6 of
the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). All
written submissions, except for confidential business information, will
be made available in the Office of the Secretary to the Commission for
inspection by interested parties. The Commission will not include any
confidential business information in the report it sends to the USTR.
To be assured of consideration by the Commission, written statements
relating to the Commission's report should be submitted to the
Commission at the earliest practical date and should be received no
later than the close of business on October 22, 2002. All submissions
should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. The Commission's
rules do not authorize filing submissions with the Secretary by
facsimile or electronic means. Persons with mobility impairments who
will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should
contact the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000. General
information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing
its Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov).
List of Subjects
WTO, GATS, Oil and gas field services.
Issued: July 9, 2002.
By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 02-17644 Filed 7-12-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P