For Immediate Release: Friday 9/17/04 CenCal 04-60
Contact: Jim Robinson (661) 391-6047

BLM NATIONAL DIRECTOR HONORS THE CALIFORNIA OIL AND GAS WORK GROUP

Kathleen Clarke, national director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), visited Bakersfield on Friday, September 17, 2004, to present the California Oil and Gas Work Group, a collaborative partnership among government agencies and the oil and gas industry, the BLM Director's "Four C's" award. This award recognizes the work group for their excellence in communication, consultation, cooperation, and, all in the service of conservation.

The California Oil and Gas Work Group was formed in 1992 to establish cooperative and constructive relationships, networks, and alliances among government agencies and industry for the resolution of natural resource issues associated with oil and gas development.

One of many important successes of the Oil and Gas Work Group is a Memorandum of Understanding developed between BLM and the California Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources. For the past 8 years, the MOU has simplified the permitting and regulatory processes for operators in California and has virtually eliminated duplicative requirements between the agencies. Another major success of the work group has been the collaborative effort to reduce the number of orphan and idle wells in California. The total number of orphan wells on BLM lands in California has been reduced from 161 wells two years ago to only 1 today.

"As Director, I want to honor local efforts that exemplify this Four C's spirit. The California Oil and Gas Work Group is a perfect choice. Together, you have created a very successful open forum to increase cooperation, share information and resolve difficult issues. Your commitment to collaboration and communication is a model for how government and industry should work together." Clarke said in prepared remarks.

Award recipients were as follows:

State of California, Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources represented by Hal Bopp (Supervisor), Randy Adams, Tim Boardman, Bruce Hesson and Ed Brannon

Bureau of Land Management represented by Patty Gradek (Asst. Field Manager), Jeff Prude, Silvet Holcomb, John Kaiser and Nora Dedios

State of California, Regional Water Quality Control Board represented by Shelton Gray, Senior Engineering Geologist

California Independent Petroleum Association represented by Rock Zierman, Director of Public Affairs

Conservation Committee of California Oil and Gas Producers represented by Jerry Anderson, Executive Director

Independent Oil Producers' Agency represented by Les Clark, Executive Vice President

Western States Petroleum Association represented by Suzanne Noble, Senior Coordinator

-BLM-

BLM Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus Dr. Bakersfield, CA 93308