E2-Wire

Interior official: Gulf oil platform fire won’t alter deepwater drilling ban

by Ben Geman - 09/07/10 10:59 PM ET

The Interior Department imposed a freeze on deepwater oil-and-gas drilling (not production) in the wake of the BP oil spill.

The freeze is slated to end in late November, but Bromwich and White House officials have said it could end earlier if they’re confident that new requirements will ensure development can proceed safely.

The oil industry, many Republicans and Gulf Coast lawmakers from both parties are pressing the Obama administration to lift the ban earlier than its scheduled expiration.

Tags