The Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) is a professional organization formed to promote the science of geophysics, especially as it applies to exploration.

In furtherance of that mission, SEG focuses on the education and professionalization of its members, educating, developing, and promoting the geophysical and related industries, as well as collecting, disseminating, and exchanging technical knowledge concerning the science and application of geophysics and its benefit to the commonwealth.

In carrying out these objectives, it is SEG’s firm and resolute policy, to which no exception is made, that all SEG activities shall be conducted in strict conformity with applicable antitrust laws. SEG will not condone any violation of its policy in this regard, and any member or employee who violates such policy will be subject to expulsion or discharge from SEG.

The above stated purposes of the SEG also serve the goal of promoting competition. To this end, and to the end of avoiding violation of applicable antitrust laws, SEG has adopted an Antitrust Compliance Policy that specifically requires observance of the following principles.

Matters Involving Prices and Terms of Competition

  • (a) No SEG activity shall be used as a means for effecting or discussing any understanding, consensus, or agreement, written or oral, formal or informal, expressed or implied, among competitors or potential competitors with regard to such competitors’ prices, terms and conditions of sale or purchase, marketing, distribution, production, consumption, market territories, or customers.
  • (b) No effort will be made by any SEG body or member on behalf of SEG to collect information from or disseminate information to SEG members concerning prices, terms and conditions of sale or purchase, marketing, distribution, production, consumption, market territories, or customers, without prior clearance from the SEG Board of Directors. In any event, no such effort will be made in regard to future or planned prices, terms and conditions of sale or purchase, marketing, distribution, production, consumption, market territories, or customers of members’ services or products.

Matters Affecting Participation

  • (a) No SEG activity shall be used as a means for effecting or discussing any understanding or agreement, written or oral, formal or informal, expressed or implied, to boycott or to exclude from competition any person, company, or other legal entity.
  • (b) No person shall be excluded from participating in SEG activities without a reasonable and justifiable basis that is clearly articulated. Efforts will be made to ensure that interested persons will have access to SEG activities.

Suggestion of Standards

  • (a) No effort will be made by any SEG body or members on behalf of SEG to formulate any recommended industry standards without prior clearance from the SEG Board of Directors.
  • (b) All industry standards recommended by SEG will be nonbinding suggestions of the SEG only, and no sanctions will be imposed by SEG for noncompliance with or failure to adopt such standards. Each member of SEG is expected to exercise independent judgment in using or not using the standards suggested by SEG.
  • (c) All industry standards recommended by SEG will be fair, equitable, and sound, and will be in the public interest rather than any narrow or partisan interests of any SEG member(s).

Fairness of SEG Activities

All activities of SEG are to be conducted fairly, responsibly, and in good faith, and with the intent, purpose, and effect of furthering the above stated purposes and goals of the SEG. To ensure compliance with this antitrust compliance policy, the member in charge (usually the chairperson) of any meeting of an SEG body should normally endeavor to prepare and distribute, in advance, an agenda for the meeting and to prepare summary minutes of the meeting, copies of which should be sent to the SEG Executive Director. For any matters to be considered which are outside the scope of that body’s normal activity, a written agenda for the meeting of that body must be prepared and mailed in advance to the members of the body and to the members of the SEG Board of Directors.

Any SEG body or member having any questions or concerns regarding the propriety of any activity being conducted by or on behalf of SEG in light of this Antitrust Compliance Policy is encouraged to contact the SEG Executive Director. It is the intent and policy of SEG to encourage such inquiries so that compliance to this policy may be ensured.

Public/Political Interface

The SEG Board of Directors, as the policy-making and governing body of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, has endorsed participation by SEG members, sections and committees in programs that seek to enhance the public’s understanding of the technical and economic issues that are involved in the geophysical and related industries. However, caution should be exercised by SEG members participating in these programs that no impression of attempting to influence legislation exists. Laws in countries where SEG sections operate govern section activities in such countries.

As a practice, no section or committee of SEG should undertake programs of a public or national policy nature without first advising the SEG Board of Directors. Laws and regulations governing public information programs change frequently, and the SEG Board, which has responsibility for all SEG activities and actions, is the only SEG body authorized to approve programs in the public policy area.

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