DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,777

PATTERSON UTI DRILLING
SNYDER, TEXAS

Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness
Act of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein
presents the results of an investigation regarding certification
of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance,
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met:
(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers
in the workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision
thereof, have become totally or partially separated,
or are threatened to become totally or partially
separated;

(2) that sales or production, or both, of the firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or
appropriate subdivision have contributed importantly
to the separations, or threat thereof, and to the
absolute decline in sales or production.

The investigation was initiated on October 28, 2002 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Patterson
UTI Drilling, Snyder, Texas. The workers drill crude oil and
natural gas for unaffiliated firms.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.


The investigation revealed that revenues at the subject
firm are derived primarily from natural gas. From January
through September 2001 to January through September 2002
revenues derived from both natural gas and crude oil declined.
Employment at the subject firm in Snyder, Texas also declined.
From January through July 2001 to January through July
2002, U.S. imports of natural gas declined absolutely and
relative to U.S. production. The import/production ratio was
20.1 percent in January through July 2001 and 20.2 percent in
January through July 2002.
The Department has more recent data for crude oil. In the
months of January through September, U.S. imports of crude oil
decreased in 2002 when compared to 2001. The U.S.
import/production ratio declined to 153.5 percent in January
through September 2002 from 162.3 percent in January through
September 2001.
The Department of Labor surveyed of the subject firm's
major customers regarding their purchases of crude oil and
natural gas during 2000, 2001, and the months of January through
September in 2001 and 2002. The survey revealed no customer
imports of crude oil or natural gas.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers at
Patterson UTI Drilling, Snyder, Texas, are denied eligibility to
apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade
Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 6th day of February, 2003.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance