Houston shipper fined for U.S. export violations

Houston shipper fined for U.S. export violations    The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security announced Friday that B.J. Services Co., a Houston-based provider of specialty products and services to the oil and gas industries, has agreed to pay an $800,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it exported certain butterfly and check valves in violation of the Export Administration Regulations.
   'An effective compliance program requires continuous oversight and revision,' said Kevin Delli-Colli, the department's acting assistant secretary of export enforcement, in a statement. 'Failing to keep pace with changing business practices can result in numerous violations and degrade our system of export controls.'
   The allegations against B.J. Services involved 72 unlicensed exports to a variety of countries of various service parts controlled under the Export Commodity Classification Number 2B350 for reasons of chemical and biological weapons proliferation, specifically Teflon-coated valves, spare parts kits (including seats and O-rings), and spare parts for pumps. The violations occurred between 2003 and 2007.
   BIS said the company 'voluntarily disclosed the violations, and cooperated fully with the investigation.'