Yesterday, President Obama announced that his government will approve new oil and gas drilling sites, including in the Gulf of Mexico.
The expansion is the largest announced in more than half a century. With this, new oil and gas drilling explanation efforts may begin off the coast of Virginia, the Eastern waters of the Gulf of Mexico and in certain waters off Alaska. The new expansion does not include the sensitive Bristol Bay in Alaska, a measure that has been seen as a doff of the hat to environmentalist concerns there. Approximately 130 million acres in the Chukchi Sea and Beaufort Sea in the Arctic Ocean may become open for exploration after extensive studies.
Obviously, the news has been cheered by the oil and gas industry, especially the news that the Gulf of Mexico region will be open for new exploration. This region is already very familiar with oil drilling efforts, and with the news of the proposed expansion, shares of local companies in the region that provide offshore drilling rigs, including Diamond Offshore, and Transocean, increased yesterday.
The Interior Department will now conduct geological and environmental studies along large parts of the southern and central Atlantic coastline.
Obviously, greater oil and gas exploration efforts in the country make sense from an economic standpoint. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil will require finding new sources of oil within our own borders. However, it’s important that any exploration efforts also take into consideration the substantial dangers to human life and safety during these exploration efforts. Both climate concerns and foreign oil dependence seem to be fashionable issues with the powers-that-be in Washington DC, but offshore and oil rig worker safety must also find a place at the table.
The maritime lawyers at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. represent injured maritime workers, including offshore and oil rig workers, cruise liner crews, fishing vessel crews, barge and tugboat operators, and other maritime workers throughout the state of Texas and nationwide.
