[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 135 (Monday, July 15, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46540-46541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17644]


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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; [email protected]), Amanda Horan, 
Deputy Project Leader (202-205-3459; [email protected]), or Richard 
Brown, Chief, Services and Investment Division (202-205-3438; 
[email protected]), 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; [email protected]). 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