WASHINGTONConsumers can be assured that the U.S. oil and natural gas industry is confident of normal operations over the Y2K date roll-over period based on results of the fourth and final industry survey of Y2K readiness. Survey results show the industry achieved its projected third-quarter target with almost all -- more than 90 percent -- being Y2K Ready as of September 30, 1999. The remaining companies say they will be ready before years end.

According to results from the survey conducted in September, covering 96 percent of domestic oil and gas demand, companies within all sectors of the oil and natural gas industry have reported that they are Y2K ready with limited exceptions. All companies report they will be 100 percent ready by December. The new survey also shows a significant increase in response rate with a total of 2,160 companies reporting.

The new survey on oil and gas industry Y2K readiness also shows a remarkable increase in the retail gasoline service station response rate and readiness. This sector represents the largest response in any industry or sector surveyed with nearly 150,000, or 77 percent of the nations retail gasoline outlets. This sector, comprised largely of independent businesses, also reported that it expects to be Y2K ready by December.

The survey results were released jointly today by the Natural Gas Council (NGC) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) on behalf of the Oil and Gas Working group which reports to the Presidents Council on Year 2000 Conversion through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). API and NGC (members listed at the end of the release) will present survey details and industry public communication activities on behalf of the oil and natural gas industry to FERC at a technical conference at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The conference will be at FERC headquarters, 888 First Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20426.

The results in this final survey, showing that we are right on target in our preparations, verify that we will be ready for the Y2K date change, said Ron Quiggins, director, Year 2000 Program, Shell Services International and chairman of the API Year 2000 Task Force. Based on this survey, we are more confident than ever of our ability to deliver gas and oil reliably on and after January 1, 2000.

We are confident about the readiness of the entire oil and natural gas industry in large part because of the continuing cooperation and communications among independent companies, Quiggins said. Critical knowledge, best practices and testing results been shared among the workforce addressing Y2K yielding the on-target results shown in this survey, he added. This cooperation and sharing also will be powerful tool for success during the actual end-of-year rollover event as we follow the sun.

According to the survey, as of September 30, 1999:

* Companies within all sectors of the oil and natural gas industry have reported that they are Y2K ready, with limited exceptions, and all companies report they will be 100 percent ready before December 31. Limited exceptions were reported primarily due to scheduled maintenance shutdowns set for this fall and expected delivery of vendor compliant products. * Among respondents, 95 percent indicate staff will be on duty during the date roll-over period. * There is increased industry confidence in the readiness of key partners  electricity and telecommunications. * The remaining Y2K preparedness issues appear in the validation stage, including finalizing and testing contingency plans, completing new system testing, and ensuring supply chain and cooperation  none of which would impede readiness. * 100 percent of the respondents will have contingency plans in place by year end.

The survey indicates continued and significant progress has been made by the joint effort with suppliers of two critical services to the oil and natural gas industry -- electric and telecommunications industries.

To further ensure the smooth operation of their industry, oil and gas companies and associations have coordinated their Y2K efforts through the Natural Gas Council and API. They share Y2K information on technical issues, testing and contingency planning, identify and resolve legal issues including legislation and communicate within the industry and with the public on their work.

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The Natural Gas Council consists of members of the natural gas industrys trade associationsthe American Gas Association, the American Petroleum Institute, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America and the Natural Gas Supply Association. API also is working with the Association of Oil Pipe Lines, the Gas Processors Association, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association and the Petroleum Marketers Association of America on the oil segment of the industry surveys. The American Public Gas Association and the National Association of Convenience Stores also participated in the survey. # October 20, 1999

-- Mild Mannered Reporter (Clark@super.duper), October 21, 1999

Answers

I everyone is so confident, then why are they demanding that employyes be on hand 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after Jnauary 1? If they are so confident that everything will run smoothly, why are generators being installed "just in case?" I have heard it over and over again that everything is AOK, so why even prepare? They are so full of sh*t I can smell it from here.

-- runnynose (runnynose@runnynoseee.xcom), October 21, 1999.

The later the date gets, the funnier these "we will make it articles" get. Sadder, too....

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.cum), October 21, 1999.

Fascinating how the wording changes when they think that nobody's looking.

According to the Senate Y2K Committee's 100 Day report, the members of the oil and gas group giving testimony to the committee indicated that only 20% of the companies which responded to an industry survey had their business systems completely ready by June 28,1999. Only 16% reported having their embedded systems ready by that date. It doesn't matter what they say, only what they've been able to accomplish. Their hot air isn't going to heat my home next year.

-- Ann M. (hismckids@aol.com), October 22, 1999.