Boustany Applauds Energy Discoveries in the Gulf, Pushes for More Drilling Permits

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD (R-Southwest Louisiana) praised the new discoveries of oil reserves in the Gulf of Mexico, including potentially the largest discovery in the Gulf of Mexico in the past 10 years.

"This is further proof we have an abundance of natural resources right here at home," Boustany said. "The Administration must speed up the permitting process and put our energy producers back to work. These discoveries resulted from the long-delayed first permits issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) and reiterate yet again further delays in permitting must end. These and other discoveries will lower the cost of gas at the pump and lessen our dependence on foreign oil."

Last week, Noble Energy announced a discovery at the Santiago exploration project in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, a result of the first deepwater drilling permit issued by BOEMRE. Yesterday, Exxon Mobil announced its discovery of a reserve containing an estimated 700 million barrels of oil. It is located about 250 miles south of New Orleans in 7,000 feet of water.

Boustany is a leader on coastal issues, and has fought the moratorium and de facto moratorium since May 2010. He was the first Member of Congress to warn of the disastrous effects of President Obama's moratorium on drilling. Boustany continues to fight for a full restoration jobs along the Louisiana coast to lower gas prices, boost our economy and decrease America's dependence on foreign oil.

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