Association: The Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York

The Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York (IOGA of NY) is a trade association founded in 1980 to protect, foster and advance the common interests of oil and gas producers, professionals and related industries in New York.

Comprised of members from numerous states throughout the country, IOGA of NY represents small, independent oil and gas operators and producers, as well as many larger companies.

The association is dedicated to conducting oil and gas exploration in a safe, efficient and environmentally-sound manner while educating the public and elected leaders about the positive impact the oil and gas industry has had - and will continue to have - on New York's economy and quality of life.

MEMBERSHIP OUTREACH
IOGA of NY takes great pride in its commitment to members by organizing informative workshops, seminars and technical meetings in an effort to provide educational opportunities and promote technology transfer within the industry.
Publications of the association include The Pipeline - a quarterly newsletter that encompasses an overview of industry news. Likewise, issue briefings and legislative correspondence e-newsletters called IOGRAMs (or IOGA Alerts) are distributed
as needed.
In addition, the association holds two annual meetings - one during the summer and one in November.

TOWN HALL MEETINGS

Most recently, the association has developed and put into motion a community education and awareness campaign regarding the possible new wave of natural gas exploration in the Marcellus Shale formation.

The Marcellus Shale is one of the largest natural gas fields in North America, and its scope is expanding. It has the potential to generate a multibillion-dollar direct impact on the economy, with multiplier effects rippling through virtually all regional industries.

In 2002, a US Geological Survey estimated that the Marcellus Shale formation held 30.7 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas - a colossal amount for the US considering that the US consumes about 23 tcf of natural gas per year, but only produces about 19 tcf.

With technological advances made in the industry from 2002 to the present, that estimate has been revised; the Marcellus Shale could hold a volume up as high as 500 tcf - more than 16 times the old estimate.

While drilling for natural gas is not new to New York (in 1821, the first gas well was dug in Fredonia New York), the majority of New York state residents and lawmakers know little about natural gas exploration. And because natural gas exploration is a new concept to many communities that sit above the Marcellus Shale, there has been a great deal of confusion about what is entailed in exploring for natural gas.

To combat the spread of misinformation, IOGA of NY has held a series of public information meetings, where members provided factual information about the processes of land acquisition, exploration, drilling and the establishment of production and development operations. The speakers also address the economic and environmental aspects of the industry as a whole and the short- and long-term benefits.

These meetings were promoted in several ways: mailed invitations to land owners, newspaper advertisements and press advisories and releases.
In many instances, the association works hand in hand with local chambers of commerce and municipalities to not only promote the public meetings, but to address any concerns they may have and to provide basic information about natural gas exploration.

Currently, New York must import 95 percent of its natural gas from other states including the Southwest. If tapped, the natural gas produced in New York can easily help meet our nation's future needs.

To learn more about IOGA NY, please visit: www.iogany.org