News
LMOGA President Chris John Comments: BOEM 5-year Leasing Plan, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
LMOGA President Chris John Testimony: BOEM Hearings on Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Wednesday, January 11, 2012, New Orleans, Louisiana
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be here today to comment on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the latest 5-year leasing plan for the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico. My name is Chris John and I am the President of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA).
Plains Exploration Sees Success for Biggest Gulf Projects
Plains Exploration & Production Co. said stricter U.S. permitting requirements for drilling in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico are causing the company to focus on larger projects.
Today’s Gulf permitting process is intended to be more “thoughtful” than before, Plains Chief Executive Officer James Flores said in an interview today in Houston. Companies with strong balance sheets will be able to pursue top projects in the Gulf, whereas more developments may have been considered in the past, he said.
LMOGA President Chris John on Approval of New BP Drilling in Gulf
Wednesday’s announcement that U.S. officials have approved BP’s plan to drill a new deepwater well in the Gulf of Mexico is great news, not only for BP, but the entire oil and gas industry. Each permit granted brings the industry one step closer to the certainty desired in these regulations, while providing the clues on how to succeed going forward in this new environment.
LMOGA President Chris John on State of Industry in the Gulf of Mexico
Last month, the Joint Investigation Team of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) and the U.S. Coast Guard released its final report analyzing the Macondo incident that occurred in 2010. Within the detailed and thorough report, there were recommendations made in how best to upgrade and enhance the regulatory structure and industrial prowess for offshore drilling at the BOEMRE. In reading these, I was struck by the similarities in the suggestions made in the report and the overhauls already enacted at the BOEMRE and the additional, voluntary requirements industry has adopted.
LMOGA President Chris John Reacts to President Obama’s Jobs Bill
This week, President Obama announced a jobs bill to stimulate the nation’s economy and create jobs for Americans out of work. Unfortunately, his plan includes raising $41 billion by reducing or eliminating tax credits, incentives and exemptions that propel oil and gas exploration and production in this country.