The Department of the Interior (DOI) late yesterday sent out a list of new safety requirements to offshore drillers as pressure mounted against the drilling moratorium.

The requirements, issued as a Notice to Lessees (NTL), requires the CEOs of offshore companies to certify they are in compliance will all regulations. In addition, the operators must provide certification from a professional engineer of all well casing and cement design requirements as well as independent third-party verification that the blowout preventer will operate properly.

API supports the goal of making offshore energy production as safe and environmentally sensitive as possible, but it encouraged the administration to reconsider the deepwater drilling moratorium. "Independent analyses have indicated the six-month mo... more »

The offshore oil and natural gas industry is in a holding pattern of sorts today, waiting for the Minerals Management Service (MMS) to issue Notices to Lessees (NTL) that will provide information about offshore energy development. Announcements from MMS offices last week caused concern when at least two drilling permits were rescinded in shallow water after the president announced a six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling.

According to information received by API, MMS could issue an NTL today specifying changes to equipment requirements in shallow water followed by additional NTLs on other aspects of offshore energy development. In the meantime, the industry is holding its breath and wondering about the impact on jobs.

The oil and natural gas industry supports 9.2 million U.S. jobs, and... more »