Office of Conservation

CONSERVATION OFFICE ISSUES NEW DRILLING ORDER

Louisiana Commissioner of Conservation James Welsh issued today a 60-day continuance of a moratorium on new drilling operations in the state within one quarter of a mile distance to interstates. According to Commissioner Welsh, a committee selected to review information and current drilling safety regulations in Louisiana and in other oil and gas producing states has not yet completed their work.

The select Ad Hoc committee members, several Office of Conservation staff, and professionals in the engineering and geological fields are working toward possibly amending existing rules governing future drilling operations in the state. “The group has been diligently looking at the circumstances of the I-10 incident, the exiting regulations, the rules imposed by other oil producing states, and the records of past and current drilling operations in Louisiana, so that they can offer some solid and effective recommendations,” Commissioner Welsh said.

The commissioner’s Order dated November 20, 2007 and the latest Order dated March 28, 2008 are available online at www.dnr.louisiana.gov

Emergency Compliance Notice November 20, 2007

Second Compliance March 28, 2008