/EINPresswire.com/ -- HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - May 10, 2017) - The International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC) President Nikki Martin today issued the following statement regarding the Department of the Interior's decision to rescind its January 2017 blanket denial of permit applications for seismic surveying of the U.S. Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf:

"On behalf of the IAGC and its member companies, including PGS, TGS, CGG, WesternGeco, GXT/ION and Spectrum, we commend the Department of the Interior for rescinding its previous decision to deny six applications for oil and gas exploration geological & geophysical (G&G) permits for the Mid- and South-Atlantic Planning areas. Today's action to correct the course for sound U.S. energy policy demonstrates this Administration's commitment to science over politics and to lawful procedures over rhetoric.

"On January 6, 2017, the previous Administration announced an unprecedented and short-sighted decision to deny all six permit applications, disregarding the rule of law and ignoring the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM's) own environmental impact analyses and conclusions. The IAGC and its six member companies whole-heartedly support today's decision. We and our members look forward to the timely and lawful processing of these permits, some of which were filed as long as nine years ago.

"This Administration's forward-thinking and rational decision making is refreshing, and we appreciate the recognition that the acquisition of G&G data for the U.S. Atlantic OCS is essential to the long-term energy planning in an area for which existing data is outdated by more than 30 years.

"Offshore seismic surveys have a long history of providing an accurate assessment of our nation's oil and natural gas resources in an environmentally safe manner, critical to informing an effective national energy strategy and future OCS leasing decisions and plans."

About the IAGC

The IAGC represents more than 125 member companies worldwide from all segments of the geophysical industry and is the only trade organization solely dedicated to representing the industry. It is the leader in geophysical technical and operations expertise and for more than 46 years, the IAGC has worked to optimize the business and regulatory climate and enhances public understanding to support a strong, viable geophysical industry essential to discovering and delivering the world's energy resources.

Learn more about the value of the oil and gas and geophysical industry at www.CrudeAwakenings.com.