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In response to the BP spill, the Obama administration placed a ban on new oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The 30 day ban gives the interior department until May 28th to conduct a safety review of the industry. With 30% of our oil and gas production coming out of the Gulf, existing drilling continues.
Some in the industry think the ban was not well thought out. Companies that drill in the shallow water came to Washington this week to explain how their operations are different. The International Association of Drilling Contractors says the ban is unfairly threatens shallow water production; mostly of natural gas.
These drilling rigs operate in less than a thousand feet of water, their blowout preventers sit above the water’s surface, and they operate for shorter periods of time. Shallow water drilling is often a short term job, with wells operating for a month or two.