National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Randall Luthi makes the following statement about Gulf of Mexico Lease 227 Sale.
"We are seeing a very positive trend for the offshore industry in the Gulf of Mexico, and we look forward to Central Gulf sale 227. It should provide a more accurate barometer of industrys interest in the region than the last Central Gulf sale, which was delayed for over a year and saw pent-up industry interest on display.
Lease sales such as this are a good reminder that offshore oil and natural gas are a vital part of an all of the above energy strategy. NOIA believes such a strategy should not limit exploration to just 15 percent of the outer continental shelf (OCS). But that is exactly what the 2012-2017 OCS oil and gas leasing plan under which this sale is scheduled does through at least 2017.
As the industry moves forward to engage in the available acreage offered in this sale, we hope the focus will remain on facilitating greater access to the 85 percent of the OCS that remains closed. Only through active exploration of these closed areas will their true resource potential become known, opening the door to new jobs, energy, and revenues to the treasury that all remain desperately needed, especially in a still struggling economy."
NOIA
is the only national trade association representing all segments of the offshore industry with an interest in the exploration and production of both traditional and renewable energy resources on the nations outer continental shelf. NOIAs mission is to secure reliable access and a fair regulatory and economic environment for the companies that develop the nations valuable offshore energy resources in an environmentally responsible manner.