591 
As previously indicated, it is believed that the greatest immediate interest in 
offshore petroleum activity will be in areas now under the exclusive mineral 
jurisdiction of the coastal nations. Thus the assurance that the seaward limits of 
rights now possessed by coastal nations will continue to be respected is of major 
current concern to the nations of the world. Over 80 percent of these are coastal 
states. 
‘Nevertheless, it is appropriate to appraise alternatives as to how exploratory or 
exploitative activity in deep-ocean areas beyond coastal-state jurisdiction should 
be legally structured. In this regard there is an inadequacy of knowledge about 
the natural resources and environment of the deep-ccean floor. Much more infor- 
mation and data will be required before realistic arrangements can be concluded 
for the promotion of long-range development. Therefore, the National Petroleum 
Council fully endorses the concept of the International Decade of Ocean Explora- 
tion, cooperative international research on the resources of the deep-ocean floor, 
and cooperative international study leading toward an eventual decision on the 
most appropriate and effective arrangements. 
Meanwhile, present consideration regarding legal arrangements for deep-ocean 
areas could well be focused upon the formulation of standards of conduct for 
individual nations and persons engaging in activity pursuant to national license. 
A step which might follow would be the establishment of an international 
registry, to serve as a public record of exploratory activity. It seems permature to 
move toward the establishment of an international agency with licensing 
authority. 
Mr. Lennon. I note in the last page of this resolution that you say 
was adopted by the House of Delegates: 
ce. Establishment of (i) reasonable payments to be made, preferably to the 
World Bank, by the nation which undertakes mineral development, in areas 
seaward of coastal mineral jurisdiction, in the nature of registration fees 
Mr. Ey. Excuse me, Mr. Chairman. I should straighten this out at 
once. 
The resolution of the House of Delegates begins on page 1 of exhibit 
A, annexed to my prepared statement, and ends on page 5. It is fol- 
lowed by the report of the sections, beginning with the word “Report”. 
Mr. Lennon. I am reading from what you have identified as 73, on 
page 13 of what you identified earlier as 73, as the recommendation 
from a committee. 
Mr. Exy. Yes. That is correct. Page 13 is not a part of the resolu- 
tion of the House of Delegates but is a part of a supporting report of 
the sections. You are correct that the sections did regard favorably the 
principle of the establishment of reasonable payments to be made by 
the nations which undertake mineral development in the deep seabed 
seaward of national jurisdiction into some agency like the World Bank 
for international purposes, which might be agreed upon, including 
those for aid to the less-developed countries. 
Mr. Lennon. Would you identify for the record the gentlemen whose 
names are signed to what I understand from you are the conclusions or 
the recommendations of this panel or section? Mr. Jesse P. Luton, Jr., 
chairman of the Section of Natural Resources Law—what firm is he 
a member of and where is he located ? 
Mr. Ety. Mr. Luton is chief counsel of the Gulf Oil Corp., United 
States. He is located in Houston, Tex. 
Mr. Lennon. How about Mr. Joe C. Barrett, the chairman of the 
Section of International and Comparative Law ? 
Mr. Eny. Mr. Barrett, I believe, is a lawyer in general practice. 
Mr. Lennon. Where is he located ? 
Mr. Ety. I will supply that for the record. 
