I Believe the big oil companies and their massively funded lobbyists are the driving force behind this legislation. It has been planned for a very long time and I would not be surprised to see the majors start to reallocate their existing resources to some of those off-shore U.S. areas that have very good potential for fast-tracking. Once its a law, I bet they more fast.
They will have to wait in line like everybody else, ERHE and Addax and SNP, already have their rig slot, for 10 wells...we should be looking for an FPSO.
Our rig is booked....but another one would be nice as well!
DG...how do you plan years in advance for an area that is offlimits?....and if all these oil companies planned years in advance, then how did Petrobras end up with all the rigs....:-)