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DNR Secretary Angelle Secures Additional Information on Extensions for Federal Leases

BATON ROUGE –In a recent meeting with Director Michael Bromwich and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) staff, LA Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle learned additional information regarding the extension of federal leases affected by the moratorium on deepwater drilling. 

“In the Back to Work Coalition’s January 12 meeting with Director Michael Bromwich and BOEMRE staff, we presented information and recommended that all federal leases affected by the moratorium on deepwater drilling be extended,” said Angelle. “I am glad to see that the Bureau is putting this recommendation into action by not only implementing a blanket extension, but also allowing all leaseholders with leases expiring on May 31 to continue their work in the Gulf of Mexico.”

Secretary Angelle and the Back to Work coalition learned yesterday that 13 operators with 31 leases have been contacted by BOEMRE and were provided with instructions on extending their leases.  Director Bromwich also reported that to date, every operator who has requested an extension due to the moratorium has been granted one.

“As I’ve stated before, a blanket extension for leaseholders is good public policy because it gives all affected operators the opportunity to make up for lost time and exploration and production that was halted due to the moratorium,”  added Angelle.  “I continue to assert that any blanket moratorium extensions should also extend to shallow water leases due to the uncertainty surrounding the permitting process for that province during the last year.” 

As the state’s liaison between the offshore oil and gas industry and the federal government, Angelle has led the effort to bring a return to responsible exploration and the job and economic stability that come with it.  Under Governor Jindal’s direction, he established the Back to Work Coalition, a group of industry representatives facilitated by the Gulf Economic Survival Team (GEST).  Angelle has presented a unified voice to Director Bromwich and BOEMRE officials in order to create a clearer roadmap for resumption of normal Gulf exploration operations.