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(Sigh Of Relief) False Alarm on Shallow Drilling Ban

Posted on 6/3/10 at 2:38 pm
Posted by bayourant
Homer
Member since Aug 2005
34445 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 2:38 pm
quote:

/03/2010 - The Interior Department contradicted an email from the Minerals Management Service's (MMS) supervisor of field operations in the Gulf of Mexico from earlier Thursday, denying that a drilling freeze to shallow waters of the Gulf is being extended.
"Shallow water drilling may continue as long as oil and gas operations satisfy the environmental and safety requirements Secretary Salazar outlined in his report to the President and have exploration plans that meet those requirements," said a spokesman for the Interior Department. "There is no moratorium on shallow water drilling."
Earlier today, regional supervisor of field operations for the MMS Gulf of Mexico region, Michael J. Saucier, replied to an email from a company seeking a permit, saying, "until further notice we have been informed not to approve or allow any drilling no matter the water depth."
However, Saucier had told the same company that the Obama moratorium would not affect drilling in 500 feet deep water.
Last week, the president said that drilling will be suspended in deepwater for six months in the region; Gulf coast state officials urged Obama to allow drilling in shallow waters so jobs in the region would remain unaffected.


LINK
Posted by BROffshoreTigerFan
Edmond, OK
Member since Oct 2007
10004 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 2:42 pm to
It sounds like nobody really knows what the frick is being allowed or not.
Posted by diat150
Louisiana
Member since Jun 2005
47133 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 2:45 pm to
quote:

Shallow water drilling may continue as long as oil and gas operations satisfy the environmental and safety requirements Secretary Salazar outlined in his report to the President and have exploration plans that meet those requirements,"


thats a pretty broad statement.
Posted by diat150
Louisiana
Member since Jun 2005
47133 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 2:45 pm to
quote:

Shallow water drilling may continue as long as oil and gas operations satisfy the environmental and safety requirements Secretary Salazar outlined in his report to the President and have exploration plans that meet those requirements,"


thats a pretty broad statement.
Posted by Taxing Authority
Houston
Member since Feb 2010
62486 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 3:03 pm to
Good lawd... These guys can't even clarify their own emails... And yet there those that want them to take over the response? Never seen the MMS so disconbobulated. Great job Obama!
Posted by C
Houston
Member since Dec 2007
28149 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 3:16 pm to
Doesn't this have to be written and signed somewhere? Why is it hard to get the facts?
Posted by Coastal Tiger
Along the vanishing Louisiana coast
Member since Apr 2005
2266 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 3:16 pm to
quote:

It sounds like nobody really knows what the frick is being allowed or not.



Would you expect anything different from a federal government agency?
Posted by TJG210
New Orleans
Member since Aug 2006
29208 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 3:22 pm to
quote:

It sounds like nobody really knows what the frick is being allowed or not.


The feds are running the show, do you expect different?
Posted by Taxing Authority
Houston
Member since Feb 2010
62486 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 3:51 pm to
quote:

Would you expect anything different from a federal government agency?
From the MMS... yes! Usually things are published as a "Notice to Leasees" or NTL for short. Seems they are just winging it these days.
Posted by udtiger
Over your left shoulder
Member since Nov 2006
111992 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 3:53 pm to
quote:

Good lawd... These guys can't even clarify their own emails... And yet there those that want them to take over the response? Never seen the MMS so disconbobulated. Great job Obama!


What do you expect from such a "culture of corruption" as identified in the 2007 IG's report?

In other words...Bush's fault. Forget that Obama's been in office since 1/20/09.
Posted by EWE TIGER
Houma
Member since Sep 2009
927 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 4:57 pm to
Permit was pulled today for a company getting ready to do a workover in South Timbalier, maybe 150' of water. Not looking good. They may not be stopping current drilling activities on the shelf, but I don't expect them to be issuing permits for new drilling (or anything else) in the near future.
Posted by Olive
Houston
Member since Jan 2006
193 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 5:43 pm to
How about state issued permits? Are those any hold up on those? What about in transitional zones?
Posted by TJG210
New Orleans
Member since Aug 2006
29208 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 5:46 pm to
Olive, where is Rick Perry in all of this? I would expect him to be screaming at the top of his lungs as well.
Posted by BROffshoreTigerFan
Edmond, OK
Member since Oct 2007
10004 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 5:55 pm to
quote:

How about state issued permits?


It's been a while since I worked state leases, but I don't believe MMS has any word in this. All state lease work should be going on as planned without any hiccups.
Posted by Olive
Houston
Member since Jan 2006
193 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 8:03 pm to
Correct.. it would be a state issue only as far as I know (not a landman). But, I didn't know if LA was all gung ho about issuing permits or variances in some of the more delicate areas in the marshes.
As for Rick Perry, in my opinion I think he's waiting for the right moment to pounce. He's just gearing up for a reelection campaign, and while he's 10-15 points ahead of Bill White, he's gonna be a slippery fish. White's a very popular outgoing mayor of Houston, has some serious lefty credentials, but has more of a background in energy than Perry could ever dream of. I think Perry might be worried if he speaks too loud before the dust settles (and public anger is either squarely directed at government or BP), it'll just give White some ammunition. If the election turns into a referendum on the oil co's vs. government, it could be an awkward spot for Governor Goodhair.
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