The New Barnett Shale Energy Education Council Launches Web Site To Help The Public Understand Issue
Posted on Nov 01, 2007 - 07:34 AM
NEWS RELEASE
Contacts:
Barnett Shale Energy Education Council
Ed Ireland, Executive Director
817-336-8789
Balcom Agency
Kay Jackson
817-877-9933
The New Barnett Shale Energy Education Council Launches Web Site To Help The Public Understand Issues Related To The Barnett Shale
FORT WORTH, Texas – November 1, 2007 – A new Web site about the Barnett Shale launched today at http://www.bseec.org with the goal of providing North Texas residents a central point of fact-based information about key topics such as drilling, leasing, safety, environment and natural gas. Eight companies leading the development of the Barnett Shale natural gas field formed the Barnett Shale Energy Education Council (BSEEC) as a non-profit public education foundation with the goal of being a community resource that provides information to the public about natural gas drilling and production in the Barnett Shale. This Web site is the first of many community information resources to be developed by the BSEEC.
Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief stated, “The BSEEC will help the residents of Fort Worth and surrounding communities better understand how development in the Barnett Shale will impact them. Some time ago, I met with natural gas industry leaders to express my concerns about the growing information gap and stressed the need for delivering timely, consistent, accurate, and complete information to residents. “
He continued, “I asked them to consider forming a public education organization that would enable them to deliver a consistent message while still protecting competition. I am very pleased that the industry responded to this call for action, and I believe the information provided by the BSEEC and its Web site will help our citizens make informed decisions about leasing and other legal documents associated with natural gas development. I commend the founding members for their leadership on public education and for their commitment to conduct their operations in the Barnett Shale ‘The Fort Worth Way,’ by being frank and honest with residents and giving back to the communities they operate in.”
Prior to launching the Web site, the BSEEC members conducted a nationwide search for an executive director and ultimately hired Ed Ireland. Ireland brings a combination of academics, industry and business experience. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Texas Tech University and was formerly a professor and head of the Department of Economics at Clemson University. His career includes 20 years in the oil and gas industry in Houston, Tex. Ireland will spend a majority of his time working with the community, from community leaders to neighborhood associations and schools.
“Our goal is to provide the community a central point of factual information about everything related to Barnett Shale as gas exploration and production evolve through the years,” said Ireland. “There are many issues that can be confusing. Our goal is to alleviate the confusion and misinformation about gas drilling, production and leasing. We also want the public to know that the members of the BSEEC are committed to safeguarding the environment and being good neighbors.“
According to Ireland, the Web site is just the first step in making the BSEEC an urban drilling community resource. He said the organization is developing brochures on important topics such as drilling and leasing that will be distributed through a variety of easy-to-access locations such as community centers and city offices. Ireland is also available to speak to community organizations, neighborhoods and schools.
The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce is working collaboratively with the BSEEC on this effort. In addition to serving in an advisory capacity, the Chamber has provided office space and administrative support for the BSEEC.
Chamber President Bill Thornton commented, “The Chamber is excited about working with the BSEEC on this public education initiative. The Barnett Shale will be one of the leading economic drivers for the local economy for many years to come.”
The Chamber organized the successful Barnett Shale Expo that was attended by several thousand people in May 2007 and the 2008 Expo is already in the works.
“The Barnett Shale is creating jobs, boosting economic growth and providing additional tax revenues,” Thorton said. “At the 2007 Expo, nationally recognized economist Ray Perryman unveiled a study showing that in 2006 the Barnett Shale contributed $5.2 billion to the local economy. The community’s need for factual information about the Barnett Shale will only grow in the future.”
BSEEC Members Share Best Practices
While the BSEEC provides community information, it also provides a forum for Barnett Shale operators to share best practices when dealing with community and each other on key issues. The founding member companies developed and agreed to abide by a common set of core principles and ethical business practices when dealing with the community and with each other. According to Ireland, these core principles are a pre-requisite for membership in the BSEEC.
The founding members of the BSEEC include: Chesapeake Energy Corporation; Chief Oil & Gas, LLC; Dale Resources, LLC; Devon Energy Corporation; EnCana Corporation; EOG Resources, Inc.; Four Sevens Resources; and XTO Energy, Inc. The newest member of the council is Quicksilver Resources, and the BSEEC wants to expand its membership to other exploration and production companies, pipelines and service companies that operate in the Barnett Shale.
“Our goal is that BSEEC membership becomes a privilege, coveted by the industry and viewed by the community as the gold standard in business operations in the Barnett Shale region,” Ireland said.
About the Barnett Shale Energy Education Council
The Barnett Shale Energy Education Council (BSEEC) is a community resource that provides information to the public about gas drilling and production in the Barnett Shale region in North Texas. The organization is dedicated to educating the public about the opportunities and issues related to urban drilling with fact-based information from sources such as industry, government, organizations and higher educational institutions.
