99-15955. ARCO, dba ARCO Exploration and Production Technology (AEPT) Plano, Texas; Negative Determination on Reconsideration

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 23, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 33523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15955]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration
[TA-W-35,449A]


ARCO, dba ARCO Exploration and Production Technology (AEPT) 
Plano, Texas; Negative Determination on Reconsideration

    On April 21, 1999, the Department issued an Affirmative 
Determination Regulatory Application for Reconsideration for the 
workers and former workers of the subject firm. The notice was 
published in the Federal Register on May 6, 1999 (66 FR 24417).
    The Department initially denied TAA to workers of ARCO Exploration 
and Production Technology because the ``contributed importantly'' group 
eligibility requirement of Section 222(3) of the Trade Act of 1974, as 
amended, was not met. Initial information indicated that the workers 
were engaged in exploration related to serving foreign markets. The 
workers at the subject firm were engaged in employment related to the 
research related to exploration of crude oil and natural gas.
    The company asserted that the workers were involved in both the 
domestic and foreign markets and provided additional information which 
warranted reconsideration of the Department's previous denial.
    On reconsideration, the Department requested that the subject firm 
provide additional information about the work being conducted at the 
subject facility. Additional information revealed that the workers at 
the subject facility were providing research and technical services in 
the areas of exploration, reservoir engineering, drilling, production, 
safety. The Plano facility is the main research, development, and 
technical service center as well as computing resource for ARCO's 
upstream operations. Most of the work done by the workers at AEPT is 
done at the Plano campus. AEPT provides a supporting role in domestic 
oil and natural gas exploration. Since the work is primarily done at 
the Plano campus, and not at the well site, the work is considered a 
service to the parent company and its subsidiaries and not an activity 
directly engaged in the exploration of crude oil and natural gas.

Conclusion

    After reconsideration, I affirm the original notice of negative 
determination of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance 
for the workers and former workers of ARCO Exploration and Production 
Technology, Plano, Texas.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., this 4th day of June 1999.
Grant D. Beale,
Acting Director, Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. 99-15955 Filed 6-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M