[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21067]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF BILL ALLOWING AMERICAN PARTICIPATION IN CUBAN ENERGY 
                          EXPLORATION PROJECTS

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                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 25, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing a bill 
to permit Americans and American companies to take part in exploring 
for and development of energy resources offshore of Cuba and other 
nearby countries.
  The bill would make an exception to all laws, Executive Orders, and 
regulations that now prohibit exports to or imports from Cuba or 
transactions in property in which a Cuban national has an interest. 
This exception would apply to transactions necessary for the 
exploration for and development of hydrocarbon resources--such as 
petroleum or natural gas--from offshore areas under the control of Cuba 
or another foreign government that are contiguous to the exclusive 
economic zone of the United States. The bill would also permit 
Americans to travel to, from, and within Cuba in connection with such 
exploration and development activities.
  Madam Speaker, since coming to Congress I have supported efforts to 
relax some of the unduly restrictive laws and policies that prevent 
American companies from doing business in Cuba. The legislation I am 
introducing today would continue those efforts.
  It responds to a U.S. Geological Survey report published last year 
that estimates some 4.6 billion barrels of oil and 9.8 trillion cubic 
feet of natural gas could lie offshore from Cuba, in the North Cuba 
Basin.
  Cuba's share of the Gulf of Mexico was established in 1977 through 
treaties with the United States and Mexico. So there is no dispute 
about the status of the area, and it is my understanding that Cuba has 
divided its offshore territory into 59 exploration blocs and opened 
them up to foreign companies in 1999. Already, several foreign 
companies have indicated interest in some of these blocs, including a 
Canadian firm as well as companies from China and Venezuela.
  However, our trade embargo continues to prevent American companies 
from seeking similar opportunities. I think this makes no sense, and 
the bill I am introducing today would change that. Under the bill, the 
only restriction would be that any exploration or development by an 
American company offshore from Cuba would be subject to the same 
conditions for protection of fish, wildlife, and the environment as 
would be the case if the activities were carried out in the parts of 
the outer continental shelf under the control of the United States.
  Madam Speaker, I am not in favor of unlimited development of oil and 
gas wherever those resources may be found. In our country, I think some 
areas should remain off-limits to such activities, and that in some 
other areas it should be subject to restrictions to protect other 
resources and values. And if Congress were called to make similar 
decisions about resources in areas controlled by Cuba I well might 
support similar restrictions for the offshore areas the government of 
Cuba has decided to make available for exploration and development.
  But I think that once the government of Cuba has made that decision, 
our Government should not insist on preventing American companies from 
seeking the opportunity to take part in those activities--especially 
since the American energy industry is unrivalled for its technical 
expertise and its ability to meet the technical challenges involved. My 
legislation would allow them to seek that opportunity.

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