[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12296-S12297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise to engage the distinguished 
chairman of the Interior Appropriations Committee in a brief colloquy 
on the recently passed Omnibus Appropriations bill.
  Mr. GORTON. I would be happy to engage my colleague in a colloquy.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, the recently passed months 
appropriations bill contains funding for many programs within the 
Department of Interior. It also includes funding for several programs 
administered by the Department of Energy [DOE]. I rise today to offer 
my support for continued funding for the DOE Office of Oil and Gas 
Technologies.
  This program plays an important role in the technological aspects of 
oil and gas development. Moreover, this office plays a critical role in 
the international arena at a time when the world energy market is 
undergoing a substantial transformation. The move away from central 
planning and increased competition in many nations has presented 
unprecedented opportunities for U.S. companies with the expertise and 
experience in developing oil and gas production.
  The fall of the Soviet Union and the gradual opening of markets in 
Latin America and Asia have unleashed significant potential for United 
States companies. For several decades, and some cases longer, oil and 
gas reserves have been almost entirely under State control. Only 
recently have these markets been open to outside investment.
  Mr. GORTON. Would the Senator yield for a question?
  Mr. DOMENICI. I would be happy to respond to the chairman of the 
subcommittee.
  Mr. GORTON. If the opportunities exist for U.S. companies, what role 
does the Government play?

[[Page S12297]]

  Mr. DOMENICI. The Office of Oil and Gas Technologies plays a vital 
role in two major areas. First, DOE will help ensure that the 
regulatory structures that emerge in these developing countries are 
favorable to U.S. businesses. This is a particularly important mission 
for the DOE to undertake because the Office of Oil and Gas Technologies 
has the technical experience and day-to-day interactions with 
businesses involved in this area. Moreover, because the energy business 
in many countries is still wholly or partially controlled by the 
Government, the prestige of the U.S. Government play a key role in 
gaining access to the markets for U.S. companies.
  Second, the U.S. government needs to be vigilant in helping ensure 
that the technical and business implications of new trading agreements 
in the energy sector do not discriminate against U.S. businesses--
especially service companies and smaller independent producers who 
often lack the resources to track these international developments. 
Since we are making the investment in the technology, we should also 
make the relatively much smaller investment in helping to ensure that 
this business and technology do not face unfair competition overseas.
  Mr. GORTON. I thank the Senator for yielding.
  Mr. DOMENICI. As we have seen in the past few years, tremendous 
opportunities have arisen for U.S. companies abroad. I hope that the 
Chairman will join me in supporting continued funding for the Office of 
Oil and Gas Technologies and their international competitiveness work. 
I yield the floor.

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