21748 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 70 / Wednesday, April 11, 2012 / Notices 

1US Geological Survey. Assessment of 

Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources of the Levant 

Basin Province. <http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2010/ 

3014/pdf/FS10-3014.pdf>. 

2 ‘‘Oil and Gas Found at Gabriella, Yitzhak 

Licenses.’’ Globes Israel Business News. 13 Mar. 

2012. <http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/ 

docview.asp?did=1000732741>. 

Dated: April 4, 2012. 

Paul Piquado, 

Assistant Secretary for Import 

Administration. 

Appendix—List of Comments and 

Issues in the Issues and Decision 

Memorandum 

General Issues 

1. Legal Authority to Apply the CVD Law 

to the PRC. 

2. Whether the Final Results Must Account 

for the Imposition of Double Remedies. 

3. Whether the Department’s Investigation 

of the Provision of Wire Rod and Steel Strip 

for LTAR Met the Initiation Standard. 

4. Whether Application of AFA for the 

Wire Rod and Steel Strip LTAR Programs Is 

Supported by the Record and Consistent with 

U.S. International Obligations. 

5. Benchmark Used for Wire Rod. 

Company-Specific Issues 

6. Whether CVDs Should Apply to 

Wireking’s Purchases of Steel Strip, Which is 

Not Consumed in the Production of the 

Subject Merchandise. 

7. Whether Cash Deposit and Liquidation 

Should Reflect Names and Translations of 

Names Used by NKS for Exportation of 

Goods to the United States. 

8. Whether the Department Should Have 

Found NKS Received a Subsidy from City 

Maintenance and Construction Taxes and 

Education Fee Surcharges/ 

[FR Doc. 2012–8727 Filed 4–10–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

International Trade Administration 

Oil and Gas Trade Mission to Israel 

AGENCY: International Trade 

Administration, Department of 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice. 

Mission Description 

The United States Department of 

Commerce (DOC), International Trade 

Administration (ITA), U.S. and Foreign 

Commercial Service (CS), is organizing 

an Executive-led Oil and Gas Trade 

Mission to Israel, October 27–October 

31, 2012. This mission is designed to be 

led by a Senior Commerce Department 

official. The purpose of the mission is 

to introduce U.S. firms to Israel’s 

rapidly expanding oil and gas market 

and to assist U.S. companies pursuing 

export opportunities in this sector. The 

mission to Israel is intended to include 

representatives from leading U.S. 

companies that provide services to oil 

and gas facilities, from design and 

construction through to project 

implementation, maintenance of 

facilities, and environmental protection. 

The mission will visit Tel Aviv and 

Jerusalem, and will include a visit to a 

to-be-determined site (e.g., port or 

company office). Mission participants 

will attend the 2012 Israel Energy and 

Business Convention. Held for the 10th 

consecutive year, by Eco Energy and 

Tachlit Conferences, this is Israel’s 

major energy forum. The convention 

assembles representatives of companies 

and senior Israeli and foreign policy 

makers, bringing them together with the 

Israeli financial and business 

community. 

The mission will help participating 

firms gain market insights, make 

industry contacts, solidify business 

strategies, and advance specific projects, 

with the goal of increasing U.S. exports 

to Israel. The mission will include oneon-one business appointments with prescreened potential buyers, agents, 

distributors and joint venture partners; 

meetings with government officials; and 

high-level networking events. 

Participating in an official U.S. industry 

delegation, rather than traveling to Israel 

on their own, will enhance the 

companies’ ability to secure meetings in 

Israel. 

Commercial Setting 

The United States is Israel’s largest 

single country trade partner. Since the 

U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement 

entered into force in 1985, U.S.-Israel 

trade has grown nine-fold. Since 1995 

nearly all trade tariffs between the U.S. 

and Israel have been eliminated. Exports 

of U.S. goods to Israel in 2010 were $6.7 

billion. In September 2010, Israel joined 

the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. 

Israel has an advanced market 

economy. As of 2010, Israel has the 24th 

largest economy in the world. 

Historically poor in natural resources, 

Israel depends on imports of petroleum, 

coal, natural gas and production inputs, 

though the country’s nearly total 

reliance on energy imports will likely 

change with recent discoveries of large 

natural gas reserves off its coast. 

In accordance with the OECD’s Green 

Growth Declaration of 2009, the 

Government of Israel formed a Green 

Growth Round Table to bring about 

regulatory, budgetary and 

environmental policy changes between 

2012 and 2020. Therefore, there may be 

sub-sector opportunities in 

environmental protection and pollution 

treatment, for onshore and offshore 

activities. 

Natural Gas 

In 2009 and 2010, the greatest natural 

gas discoveries of the decade were made 

off the coast of Israel: The Tamar and 

Leviathan fields. These fields may have 

the capacity to support Israel’s domestic 

gas consumption with reserves left for 

exports, and related platform chemicals. 

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates 

that there are 122 TCF of recoverable gas 

in the region, most of it in Israeli 

waters.1 In March 2012, another 

offshore discovery was made by Modiin 

and Adira Energy northwest of Tel Aviv, 

with an estimated 1.8 TCF of natural gas 

as well as oil.2

Israel’s offshore natural gas reserves 

are estimated around 30 trillion cubic 

feet, however further exploration is 

needed. The Ministry of Energy and 

Water Resources’ (MEWR) Petroleum 

Unit and Petroleum Council are 

responsible for issuing petroleum 

prospecting licenses in Israel. After the 

Tamar and Leviathan discoveries, 

numerous licenses to initiate petroleum 

prospecting were granted. According to 

the Petroleum Law, license owners must 

begin petroleum prospecting within 4 

months of license issuance, commence 

drilling operations no later than two 

years following license issuance, and 

the interval between the drilling of one 

well and another cannot exceed 4 

months. Consequently, it is likely that 

various drilling operations will 

commence in 2012. Because Israel does 

not yet have the physical infrastructure 

and technical workforce to support this 

fast growing industry, local companies 

are eager to team up with U.S. 

companies. Finally, Minister of Energy 

and Water Resources, Uzi Landau is 

committed to bringing foreign 

companies into Israel for continued gas 

exploration, and its eventual export. 

The Committee on Energy Policy, 

recommends setting aside 50 percent of 

the Tamar and Leviathan gas resources 

for export. Final decisions on exports 

will be made in the coming months. All 

natural gas export facilities will be 

located in areas under Israeli control. 

Opportunities exist for prospectors, 

operators, pipeline construction, 

logistical services and ship 

manufacturers. Technical training 

services are required to build a 

workforce and there are opportunities 

for academic cooperation with local 

universities and colleges. 

Oil 

In March 2010, the U.S. Geological 

Survey reported that there is an 


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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 70 / Wednesday, April 11, 2012 / Notices 21749 

3US Geological Survey. Assessment of 

Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources of the Levant 

Basin Province. <http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2010/ 

3014/pdf/FS10-3014.pdf>. 

4 ‘‘Oil Shale Country Notes: Israel.’’ World Energy 

Council for Sustainable Energy. <http:// 

www.worldenergy.org/publications/ 

survey_of_energy_resources_2007/oil_shale/ 

country_notes/2005.asp>. 

5 ‘‘Oil and Gas Found at Gabriella, Yitzhak 

Licenses.’’ Globes Israel Business News. 13 Mar. 

2012. <http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/ 

docview.asp?did=1000732741>. 

6 Meged Field Reserves Classification. Rep. Baker 

Hughes, Mar. 2011. <http://www.givot.co.il/english/ 

data/images/Media/ 

GIVT0001%20Final%20Report%20rev3.pdf>. 

7 ‘‘Energy Ministry Approves Meged Field 

Development.’’ Globes Israel Business News, 30 Jan. 

2012. <http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/ 

docview.asp?did=1000720122>. 

estimated 1.7 billion barrels of 

recoverable oil in Israel.3 The World 

Energy Council estimates Israel’s shale 

deposits could ultimately yield as many 

as 250 billion barrels of oil.4 In May 

2011, the Russian energy company Inter 

RAO announced that it had received a 

license to develop oil shale resources in 

the Negev desert. In March 2012, 

another offshore discovery was made by 

Modiin and Adira Energy northwest of 

Tel Aviv, with an estimated 128 million 

barrels of oil, as well as natural gas.5

The Meged Field may also contain 

significant oil reserves. In June 2011, 

Israeli oil exploration company, Givot 

Olam, announced that its test 

production site, Meged 5, was 

producing 800 barrels a day. According 

to a report by the international 

consultancy Baker Hughes, Givot Olam 

will develop Meged 6 and Meged 7 and 

perform well stimulation for all its 

drillings; in the next stage the company 

will drill up to 40 wells throughout the 

Meged field.6 In February 2012, MEWR 

approved continued production at 

Meged 5, and development of Meged 6– 

14 drillings.7

Many oil exploration licenses are set 

to expire in 2012 and 2013. Exploration 

companies are limited to how many 

licenses they can hold in Israel, and 

given the success of several exploration 

projects, there are opportunities for U.S. 

companies to enter Israel’s oil 

exploration market. 

Mission Goals 

The mission will help U.S. companies 

increase their export potential to Israel 

by identifying profitable opportunities 

in Israel’s natural gas and oil market. As 

such, the mission will focus on helping 

U.S. companies obtain market 

information, establish business and 

government contacts, solidify business 

strategies, and/or advance specific 

projects. 

The mission’s goals include: 

• Facilitating first-hand market 

exposure and access to government 

decision makers and key private-sector 

industry contacts, including potential 

trading partners; 

• Promoting the U.S. energy industry 

by connecting representatives of U.S. 

companies with potential trading 

partners; 

• Helping companies gain valuable 

international business experience in the 

rapidly growing energy industry; and, 

• Helping U.S. companies strengthen 

their engagement in the worldwide 

marketplace, leading to increased 

exports and job creation. 

Mission Scenario 

Participants will attend country 

briefings, seminars and meetings with 

government decision makers and key 

private-sector industry contacts, 

including potential trading partners. 

Participants will also receive briefings 

on natural gas opportunities in Greece 

and Cyprus. Networking events will 

provide mission participants with 

further opportunities to speak with local 

business and government 

representatives, as well as with business 

executives of major U.S. companies 

already established in Israel. 

The mission will begin in Tel Aviv, 

where participants will receive market 

briefings and learn about doing business 

in Israel. Next, the delegates will 

participate in the Israel Energy and 

Business Convention 2012, Israel’s 

major energy forum. Here the 

participants will be able to learn about 

the market, meet with potential 

customers and network with all relevant 

players from the public and private 

sector. The convention will include 

plenary sessions, panel discussions, 

lectures, investment advice and 

exhibitions. Commercial Service Tel 

Aviv will arrange one-on-one business 

meetings with potential buyers and 

partners for all trade mission 

participants. 

Next, the delegation will be led on a 

site visit. Probable site visits include 

Ashdod Port and Noble Energy offices. 

Finally, the delegation will visit the 

MEWR in Jerusalem to learn about the 

state of the oil and gas industry in Israel. 

The precise agenda will depend upon 

the availability of local government and 

private sector officials, as well as on the 

specific goals and makeup of the 

mission participants. 

NOTIONAL TIMETABLE

Saturday, October 27, 2012 ............................... • Tel Aviv. 

Æ Participants arrive in the AM. 

Æ Afternoon Embassy briefing, doing business in Israel seminar. 

Sunday, October 28, 2012 ................................. • Tel Aviv. 

Æ Participation in Israel Energy and Business Convention 2012. 

Æ One-on-one meetings. 

Æ Dinner with trade mission lead and relevant government of Israel senior officials. 

Monday, October 29, 2012 ................................. • Tel Aviv. 

Æ Participation in Israel Energy and Business Convention 2012. 

Æ One-on-one meetings. 

Æ Networking reception with Israeli companies. 

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 ................................ • Tel Aviv. 

Æ Site visit to port, or Noble Energy Inc. offices. 

Æ Reception and Ambassador’s residence. 

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 ........................... • Jerusalem. 

Æ Relevant government meetings. 

Participation Requirements 

All parties interested in participating 

in the trade mission must complete and 

submit an application package for 

consideration by DOC. All applicants 

will be evaluated on their ability to meet 

certain conditions and best satisfy the 

selection criteria as outlined below. U.S. 

companies already doing business with 


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21750 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 70 / Wednesday, April 11, 2012 / Notices 

8An SME is defined as a firm with 500 or fewer 

employees or that otherwise qualifies as a small 

business under SBA regulations (see http://

www.sba.gov/services/contracting_opportunities/

sizestandardstopics/index.html). Parent companies, 

affiliates, and subsidiaries will be considered when 

determining business size. The dual pricing reflects 

the Commercial Service’s user fee schedule that 

became effective May 1, 2008 (see http://

www.export.gov/newsletter/march2008/

initiatives.html for additional information). 

Israel as well as U.S. companies seeking 

to enter to the Israeli market for the first 

time may apply. A minimum of 10 and 

a maximum of 20 companies will be 

selected for participation in this 

mission. 

Fees and Expenses 

After a company has been selected to 

participate on the mission, a payment to 

the DOC in the form of a participation 

fee is required. The participation fee is 

$3,285 for large firms and $2,675 for a 

small or medium-sized enterprise 

(SME) 8, which covers one 

representative. The fee for each 

additional representative is $500. 

Participants in Israel Energy and 

Business Conference will pay showrelated expenses directly to the show 

organizer. Expenses for travel, lodging, 

meals, and incidentals will be the 

responsibility of each mission 

participant. Delegation members will be 

able to take advantage of U.S. Embassy 

rates for hotel rooms. 

Conditions for Participation 

An applicant must submit a 

completed and signed mission 

application and supplemental 

application materials, including 

adequate information on the company’s 

products and/or services, primary 

market objectives, and goals for 

participation. If the Department of 

Commerce receives an incomplete 

application, the Department may reject 

the application, request additional 

information, or take the lack of 

information into account when 

evaluating the applications. 

Each applicant must also certify that 

the products and services it seeks to 

export through the mission are either 

produced in the United States, or, if not, 

marketed under the name of a U.S. firm 

and have at least 51 percent U.S. 

content of the value of the finished 

product or service. 

Selection Criteria for Participation 

• Suitability of the company’s 

products or services to the market. 

• Applicant’s potential for business 

in the targeted industries in Israel, 

including likelihood of exports resulting 

from the mission. 

• Consistency of the applicant’s goals 

and objectives and business with the 

stated scope of the mission. 

• Diversity of company size, sector or 

subsector, and location may also be 

considered during the review process. 

Referrals from political organizations 

and any documents containing 

references to partisan political activities 

(including political contributions) will 

be removed from an applicant’s 

submission and not considered during 

the selection process. 

Timeframe for Recruitment and 

Applications 

Mission recruitment will be 

conducted in an open and public 

manner, including publication in the 

Federal Register, posting on the 

Commerce Department trade mission 

calendar (http://www.ita.doc.gov/

doctm/tmcal.html) and other Internet 

Web sites, press releases to general and 

trade media, direct mail, notices by 

industry trade associations and other 

multiplier groups, and publicity at 

industry meetings, symposia, 

conferences, and trade shows. 

Recruitment for the mission will 

conclude no later than August 24, 2012. 

The U.S. Department of Commerce will 

review applications and make selection 

decisions on a rolling basis beginning 

May 21, 2012, until the maximum of 20 

participants is selected. Applications 

received after August 24, 2012 will be 

considered only if space and scheduling 

constraints permit. 

Contacts 

U.S. Commercial Service Tel Aviv 

Ms. Irit van der Veur, Senior 

Commercial Specialist, 972–3–519– 

7540, irit.vanderveur@trade.gov. 

U.S. Commercial Service Washington, 

DC 

Mr. David McCormack, International 

Trade Specialist, 202.482.2833, 

david.mccormack@trade.gov. 

Elnora Moye, 

Trade Program Assistant. 

[FR Doc. 2012–8608 Filed 4–10–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–FP–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

RIN 0648–XB155 

Endangered Species; File Nos. 16549 

and 17095 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice; receipt of applications. 

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that 

the S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish 

Research Center, U.S. Geological 

Survey; Box 796, 1 Migratory Way, 

Turners Falls, MA 01376, has applied in 

due form for a permit to take shortnose 

sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum); and 

also that Entergy Nuclear Operations 

Inc., 450 Broadway, Suite 3, Buchanan, 

NY 10511, has applied in due form for 

a permit to take shortnose sturgeon 

(Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic 

sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus 

oxyrinchus) for purposes of scientific 

research. 

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email 

comments must be received on or before 

May 11, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: The application and related 

documents are available for review by 

selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public 

Comment’’ from the Features box on the 

Applications and Permits for Protected 

Species (APPS) home page, https:// 

apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting 

File Nos. 16549 or 17095 from the list 

of available applications. 

These documents are also available 

upon written request or by appointment 

in the following offices: 

Permits and Conservation Division, 

Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 

1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, 

Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 

427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376; and 

Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great 

Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930; 

phone (978) 281–9328; fax (978) 281– 

9394. 

Written comments on either 

application should be submitted to the 

Chief, Permits and Conservation 

Division 

• By email to 

NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov (include 

the File No. in the subject line of the 

email), 

• by facsimile to (301) 713–0376, or 

• at the address listed above. 

Those individuals requesting a public 

hearing should submit a written request 

to the Chief, Permits and Conservation 

Division at the address listed above. The 

request should set forth the specific 

reasons why a hearing on the 

application(s) would be appropriate. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Malcolm Mohead or Colette Cairns at 

(301) 427–8401. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

subject permits are requested under the 

authority of the Endangered Species Act 

of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 

1531 et seq.) and the regulations 


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