Protocol for Focus Groups

August XX, 2013

Dear _________,

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is in the process of designing a replacement for its energy financial data survey. As part of this design process we want to learn from our data users how they have used the energy financial data found in publications like the Performance Profiles of Major Energy Producers, an annual report to the U.S. Congress. Your input will be invaluable in making sure that EIA continues to produce data that users like you find both useful and relevant.

To gain this input, EIA will be holding a meeting of data users at the U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20585, on XX/XX/XXXX at HH:MM AM/PM. For those of you who are unable to travel, we will also be hosting this meeting as a WebEx Webinar.

We are particularly interested in your answers to these questions:

• Have you used EIA’s energy financial data to measure upstream oil and gas costs?

• If so, what data have you used, and how have you used it?

• What data did you find useful? Not useful?

• What data should be collected that are not currently available?

• What data should not be collected?

• What statistics should EIA publish that have not been published in the past?

• What statistics should EIA continue to publish?

• Do you have any general comments about the data previously collected by EIA on upstream oil and gas costs?

If you are not the best person to provide this feedback, please feel free to forward this letter/e-mail to the best person in your organization.

If you are interested in attending this meeting, or have any questions about this meeting, please contact Neal Davis, Industry Economist, directly either at Neal.Davis@eia.gov, or by phone at (202) 586-6581.

Sincerely,

James Kendell

Director, Office of Oil, Gas, and Coal Supply Statistics

U.S. Energy Information Administration