Post-Moratorium: Where Are the Drilling Permits?
Camilo Rodriguez /
The deepwater drilling moratorium ended three weeks ago, but it could be months before the federal government issues its first new permit.
In a meeting last week with members of the National Ocean Industries Association, U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement Director Michael Bromwich was vague when asked when his agency would issue a new deepwater permit. According to Oil & Gas Journal, he simply said he hoped it could happen before the end of the year.
Deepwater drilling permits came to a halt after the Deepwater Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar later imposed a moratorium on all deepwater drilling.