Media Releases

Media Releases & Statements

Media Releases

7 November 2023

IADC Position on Extended Postponement of Lease Sale 261

On 2 November, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the further postponement of Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 261.
4 October 2023

IADC Expresses Deep Concerns Regarding New Federal Offshore Leasing Program

The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) expresses profound disappointment in response to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) release of the 2024-2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program.
28 September 2023

IADC Finds Recent Appeals Decisions Regarding Lease Sale 261 Encouraging

IADC is pleased to see the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals’ recent affirmation of last week’s District Court ruling addressing the Department of the Interior’s Rice’s Whale restrictions imposed on Lease Sale 261 in the Gulf of Mexico.
21 September 2023

IADC Honors 21 Members of Congress for Supporting the Drilling Industry

This week, IADC honored 21 members of the US Congress with the IADC Legislator Award for their unyielding support of oil and gas. IADC organized a group, including individuals from 10 IADC member companies, to fly to Washington, DC, and represent the drilling industry.
11 September 2023

IADC Disapproves of Recent Limitations on Energy Development in Alaska

The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) asserts that the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) recent decision to cancel the seven remaining leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) Coastal Plain is short-sighted and will very likely have long-lasting consequences.
27 July 2023

IADC’s Response to the Bureau of Land Management’s Proposal

On Monday, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published recommended revisions to the Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Rule. The proposed changes would impact the BLM’s oil and gas leasing regulatory framework by modifying the current fiscal terms and leasing processes. 
31 March 2023

IADC Position on Lease Sale 259

On 29 March 2023, the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) executed Lease Sale 259, the second of three such lease sales as compelled by the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by the U.S. Congress in August 2022.
24 October 2022

IADC Responds to Administration’s SPR Announcement and BOEM’s Updates on Lease Sales 258 & 259

On 19 October, the Biden Administration announced that the Department of Energy will release an additional 15 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). This action demonstrates the imperative need for ensuring vital energy resources are accessible for consumers in North America and around the world.
16 September 2022

IADC Statement on Lease Sale 257

The Interior Department's Bureau of Ocean Management (BOEM) announced reinstatement of Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 257. IADC President Jason McFarland issued a statement in response.
13 May 2022

Decision to Withhold Lease Sales Harmful to Production and Pricing

The Department of the Interior announced that it will not proceed with plans for three oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska's Cook Inlet. IADC President Jason McFarland issued a statement in response.
31 March 2022

House Natural Resources Committee Bills Imperative for Energy Sector

Yesterday, members of the House Natural Resources Committee introduced a series of bills that would bolster the U.S. energy sector and give vital regulatory certainty to drilling contractors. Among many things, these six bills would address well-known oil and gas permitting delays currently facing the Department of Interior, as well as end the Biden Administration’s ban on federal onshore and offshore oil and gas leasing.
22 March 2022

IADC Statement Following Ukraine President Zelenskyy’s Address to Congress

IADC applauds President Zelenskyy‘s courage and condemns the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine. The invasion and subsequent effects we are now seeing on global energy markets, geopolitics, and the lives of innocent Ukrainians, underscore a message which IADC has long espoused; that the sustained development of oil and gas is critical to every nation’s security.
24 August 2021

Joint Industry Effort for Thorough Assessment of Stakeholder Impact when Amending Essential Fish Habitat Provisions

IADC, along with five other industry organizations, submitted comments on proposed amendments to Essential Fish Habitat provisions maintained by the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council. The organizations outlined concerns that assessment of non-fishing activities in the Gulf of Mexico have not been adequately considered.
18 August 2021

IADC Joins Lawsuit Challenging DOI Leasing Ban

Yesterday the Biden Administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and waters, pursuant to Executive Order 14008, was blocked nationwide by a Federal judge in U.S. District Court in Louisiana. IADC President Jason McFarland issued a statement in response.
30 June 2021

IADC Comments on Leasing Ban Block

Yesterday the Biden Administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and waters, pursuant to Executive Order 14008, was blocked nationwide by a Federal judge in U.S. District Court in Louisiana. IADC President Jason McFarland issued a statement in response.
22 April 2021

IADC Statement on Bipartisan Natural Gas Bill

Representative August Pfluger (R-TX), joined by Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX), introduced the Natural Gas Export Expansion Act – a bill that would expand existing expedited LNG approval authorities and encourage a robust global energy supply chain. "IADC is encouraged to see this bipartisan legislation and applauds Congressman Pfluger and the other leaders of the Texas delegation for their continued work on critical issues affecting our energy landscapes.”
25 February 2021

IADC Applauds Bipartisan Energy Bill

Today Representatives Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) introduced a bipartisan bill, the More Energy More Jobs Act of 2021. The bill would require at least two area-wide lease sales annually in the Western and Central Gulf of Mexico, as well as allow U.S. Governors to formally nominate areas for offshore natural gas and oil development. “IADC strongly opposes any effort to categorically restrict leasing activities on federal lands or in federal waters and remains steadfast in supporting policies that enable safe and efficient drilling activities in the U.S. and abroad.
12 February 2021

IADC Comments on Postponement of March Oil and Gas Lease Sales

IADC President Jason McFarland issued the following statement in response to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s announcement that it is rescinding the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 257: “The Bureau’s decision to postpone the planned March lease sale is disappointing and brings further uncertainty to the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of American energy workers earning a living in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Wyoming, and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.
27 January 2021

Federal Leasing Ban Impedes US Economic Growth

Today the Biden Administration announced executive action that will restrict oil and natural gas leasing on federal lands and in federal waters. In response, IADC President Jason McFarland issued the following statement: “The executive actions announced by the Administration today only serve to further curtail the ability of America’s natural gas and oil producers to successfully operate.
21 January 2021

IADC Comments on Department of Interior’s Suspension of Drilling Permits

Today the Department of Interior issued a temporary suspension on the approval of new drilling permits on federal land as part of President Biden’s pledge to halt oil and gas development in an effort to combat climate change. IADC President, Jason McFarland, issued the following statement in response: “IADC strongly opposes any effort to categorically restrict leasing activities on federal lands or in federal waters and remains steadfast in supporting policies that enable safe and efficient drilling activities in the U.S. and abroad.

Statements

24 March 2023

IADC Supports H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act

IADC applauds Speaker McCarthy, Majority Leader Scalise, and everyone involved with the production and prioritization of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. We strongly support this comprehensive legislation and believe it will restore much-needed certainty to U.S. federal leasing programs, both onshore and offshore.
14 March 2023

IADC Applauds the More Energy More Jobs Act of 2023

Yesterday Representatives Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) and Henry Cuellar (TX-28) introduced a bipartisan bill, the More Energy More Jobs Act of 2023. The bill would require at least two area-wide lease sales annually in the Western and Central Gulf of Mexico, as well as allow U.S. Governors to formally nominate areas for offshore natural gas and oil development.
19 October 2022

IADC Statement on BOEM’s 2023-2028 National OCS Oil & Gas Leasing Proposed Program

On 5 October, IADC submitted comments regarding the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) Proposed Program for the 2023-2028 federal offshore oil and gas leasing program. Regarding BOEM’s Proposed Program, IADC President Jason McFarland issued the following statement:
17 August 2022

IADC Statement on Joint Industry Discussion with U.S. Department of Energy

On Monday, IADC participated in a joint industry meeting with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Deputy Secretary, David Turk, and members of the Federal Lands Coalition. The group discussed how the industry can work with the Biden Administration to improve energy security in the U.S. and abroad, expand hydrocarbon exports to growing international markets, and responsibly replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
21 April 2022

Statement Regarding SEC’s Proposed Climate Rule

IADC is troubled by the SEC’s new proposed rule that would require public companies to disclose climate-related information. The proposed requirements appear outside the bounds of the SEC’s core mission and would impose a significant financial and resource burden on companies for questionable value.
31 March 2022

IADC Statement on Lease Sale 257

IADC is disappointed in the Court’s decision regarding Lease Sale 257, and hopes the Department of Interior will move expeditiously to recomplete appropriate environmental evaluations with the goal of holding an additional lease sale soon.