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• Wyden: FracFocus 'constructive' tool on drilling

  May 23, 2013 2:14 PM

  WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Senate Energy Committee says a website partially funded by the oil and gas industry is a constructive tool that could be used by federal regulators in requiring public disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon stopped short... more »

• Government again delays proposed 'fracking' rule

  January 18, 2013 5:42 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Interior Department is again delaying a proposed rule that would require companies drilling for oil and natural gas on federal lands to publicly disclose chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations. The Obama administration first proposed a "fracking" rule last May, with a final rule expected by the... more »

• No oil spill seen at Shell drill ship in Alaska

  January 1, 2013 11:26 AM

  ANCHORAGE, Alaska - An overnight Coast Guard flight over an Alaska drilling rig that ran aground in shallow water on New Year's Eve found no signs of a fuel spill. But officials at a unified command center run by the Coast Guard, Royal Dutch Shell PLC, state responders and others... more »

• Shell drill ship runs aground on island off Alaska

  January 1, 2013 8:17 AM

  The Coast Guard intends to fly out early today to a small uninhabited island in the Gulf of Alaska to plan a salvage operation for a grounded drilling rig that broke loose from a tow in a North Pacific storm. Royal Dutch Shell PLC's Kulluk is carrying 150,000 gallons... more »

• New drilling operation near fiery I-10 blowout site

  November 20, 2012 9:43 PM

  RAMAH- Drilling crews have returned to an area where a drilling disaster happened in 2007. Then, a blowout preventer failed and ignited a fireball. The inferno shutdown the I-10 Basin Bridge for ten days. Since then, rules have been changed. Now, a company has received a permit to... more »

• Four burn victims in BR for special treatment

  November 16, 2012 9:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Four victims of a oil platform explosion are at a burn unit, getting treatment. The victims were transferred to Baton Rouge General Mid City from a hospital in the New Orleans area Friday evening. The hospital cannot comment specifically on the patients' injuries or care. But,... more »

• Search continues for two missing after platform fire Play Video

  November 16, 2012 10:16 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard said they are continuing to search for two missing oil platform workers after a cutting torch caused an explosion and fire this morning. Capt. Ed Cubanski told reporters at the noon briefing there were no confirmed deaths. Emergency managers had erroneously reported two... more »

• US may soon become world's top oil producer

  October 23, 2012 12:53 PM

  NEW YORK - U.S. oil output is surging so fast that the United States could soon overtake Saudi Arabia as the world's biggest producer. The boom in production is being driven by high oil prices and new drilling methods that are allowing energy companies to unlock oil trapped between rocks.... more »

• Sinkhole expands for second time this week

  September 20, 2012 3:24 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - Emergency management authorities said a sinkhole in Assumption Parish expanded again overnight. John Boudreaux, the director for the parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said an additional 25 feet of land fell off into sinkhole. It's the second time this week the size of... more »

• Shell halts Chukchi Sea drilling

  September 10, 2012 3:41 PM

  ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Royal Dutch Shell has halted drilling in the Chukchi Sea one day after it began because of sea ice moving toward the company's drill ship off Alaska. Shell Alaska spokesman Curtis Smith tells The Associated Press that drilling was stopped as a precautionary measure in accordance with... more »

• More drilling on Bayou Corne Play Video

  September 5, 2012 5:15 PM

  ASSUMPTION PARISH - More drilling in a different location will soon be underway in Assumption Parish. This comes after more gas bubbles were found in the Triche Canal, which is near the first problem spot Bayou Corne. The Department of Natural Resources plans to drill another well into... more »

• Drilling to resume soon in Assumption bayou

  September 5, 2012 10:41 AM

  BAYOU CORNE - Authorities in Assumption Parish said drilling could resume tonight on an exploration well near a large sinkhole in the parish. The parish police jury said Texas Brine was ahead of schedule resuming operations, after they had to halt drilling for almost a week during Hurricane Isaac.... more »

• Assistance location for sinkhole evacuees changed Play Video

  August 21, 2012 6:30 PM

  NAPOLEONVILLE - Texas Brine today said they're changing where and when assistance checks will be given out to people evacuated from an area near a sinkhole on their property in Assumption Parish. Spokesperson Sonny Cranch said because of overcrowded conditions they changed the location to the St. Joseph the... more »

• Drilling begins in Bayou Corne Play Video

  August 20, 2012 5:48 PM

  ASSUMPTION PARISH - Workers with Texas Brine LLC began drilling an exploratory well today to hopefully get some answers about the cause of a giant sinkhole on their property in Assumption Parish. Today engineers started drilling to get to the 300 foot thick caprock that sits on top of... more »

• Texas Brine begins cutting checks, state says it's not enough Play Video

  August 17, 2012 4:48 PM

  PIERRE PART- Today contractors for Texas Brine handed out checks to families evacuated from Bayou Corne after a massive sinkhole appeared on the company's property. However, state officials said the company's not doing enough. Candy Blanchard and her family were among those who fled the area after the evacuation... more »

• Sinkhole growing as drill arrives in bayou Play Video

  August 15, 2012 5:32 PM

  BAYOU CORNE - As dozens of trucks arrived with drilling equipment to take a look beneath a sinkhole in Assumption Parish, authorities said the hole has continued to increase in size. Christina Stephens, a spokesperson with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said the surface of... more »

• Texas Brine promises cooperation over sinkhole Play Video

  August 10, 2012 5:56 PM

  GONZALES - Representatives from Texas Brine said today the company is doing everything it can to ease concerns about a sinkhole on their property in Assumption Parish. Experts believe an unused brine operation in a salt dome beneath the sinkhole is the cause. Parish leaders said the company had... more »

• Shell Oil scales back Arctic drilling plan

  July 31, 2012 1:57 PM

  ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Shell Oil Co. says it has downsized its plan for off-shore drilling in the Arctic this year. Shell now hopes to complete two wells in 2012 off Alaska's northern coastline. The company had planned on drilling up to five wells. Shell spokesman Curtis Smith said Tuesday a... more »

• Salazar set to approve major gas well project

  May 8, 2012 9:47 AM

  SALT LAKE CITY- U. S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar was set to approve a major natural gas drilling project in Utah. Salazar planned to make the announcement Tuesday at a pipeline compression station on Salt Lake City's west side. He offered no details before the event got under way.... more »

• ASME recognizes 1st floating offshore drilling rig

  March 12, 2012 7:45 AM

  MORGAN CITY - An international society of engineers is naming the nation's first floating offshore oil drilling rig a historic mechanical engineering landmark. ASME will hold the ceremony on Saturday at the rig Mr. Charlie in Morgan City, where it is now a museum and training facility. Mr. Charlie was... more »

• Attorney asks judge to make BP employee testify

  February 12, 2012 4:14 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Lawyers for the owners of the drilling rig that exploded at the start of the 2010 oil spill are asking a federal judge to make a key witness talk to them before their trial. Attorneys for Transocean want to interview Donald Vidrine, who was BP's well site... more »

• Panel: Drilling impacts could be 'excessive'

  November 10, 2011 6:25 PM

  WASHINGTON - A federal advisory panel is warning that "serious environmental consequences" could result from the gas drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing if steps aren't taken to reduce its impacts. The seven-member committee said in a report released Thursday that progress by the federal government and the oil... more »

• BP step closer to drilling new Gulf wells

  October 21, 2011 2:39 PM

  BP is a step closer to being allowed to drill new deepwater wells in the Gulf of Mexico. The agency that regulates offshore drilling said Friday it has approved a supplemental exploration plan submitted by BP. The British firm still must obtain permits to be able to start... more »

• La. lawmakers meet with top drilling regulator

  October 11, 2011 1:59 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Two members of Louisiana's congressional delegation have met with a top Interior Department official to express their concerns about the Obama administration's regulation of the offshore drilling industry in the aftermath of the Gulf oil spill. After Tuesday's meeting, Rep. Jeff Landry said he and Sen.... more »

• BP applies for first gulf drilling permit since explosion

  September 26, 2011 5:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE- BP has applied for its first Gulf of Mexico drilling permit in the Gulf of Mexico since the Deepwater Horizon explosion and spill. It was filed last week, one week after BP was cited in a federal report for several violations related to the disaster. Some... more »

• Some production closed off in Don's approach

  July 28, 2011 1:44 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Two major petroleum companies have evacuated offshore operations in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico with the approach of Tropical Storm Don. The storm is expected to make landfall Friday in southeastern Texas. Royal Dutch Shell said it planned to have 195 workers evacuated from its... more »

• Shell evacuates 70 in SW Gulf

  July 27, 2011 5:20 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - With a tropical storm approaching, Royal Dutch Shell says it has evacuated about 70 non-essential personnel from production and drilling operations in the extreme southwest Gulf of Mexico. The company says there has been no interruption of production - and none is currently expected. Forecasters... more »

• Researchers: Gulf drilling could add 230,000 jobs

  July 22, 2011 9:57 AM

  NEW YORK - An energy research group predicted that an increase in drilling activity in the Gulf of Mexico could create 230,000 jobs and add $44 billion to the economy next year. IHS on Thursday echoed the industry's argument that regulations enacted following the Gulf oil spill have slowed... more »

• BP adopts new safety standards for Gulf drilling

  July 15, 2011 8:08 AM

  ATLANTA- BP says it has adopted new, safer standards for deep-water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The announcement comes a year after the company capped its blown-out well about 50 miles off the Louisiana coast. In a letter to U.S. regulators, the company said the standards exceed existing federal... more »

• Judge orders action on 6 deepwater permits

  May 10, 2011 5:23 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal judge has given the Obama administration 30 days to act on six permits for deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman issued the order Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by Ensco Offshore Co. and others. He rejected Interior Department... more »

• House passes bill making it easier to drill

  May 5, 2011 2:26 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Republican-controlled House has passed the first of three bills aimed at making it easier for oil companies to drill offshore. The House passed the first measure 266-149 Thursday. It would force the government to conduct three lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and one off... more »

• Report: Transocean contributed to Gulf disaster

  April 22, 2011 3:37 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A Coast Guard probe of the Deepwater Horizon explosion has concluded that rig owner Transocean had serious flaws in its safety management system and a poor safety culture that contributed to the disaster. Friday's report also found that lax oversight by the rig's flag state, the... more »

• Shell moves closer on new drilling plans for Gulf

  March 21, 2011 4:09 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Federal regulators have put oil giant Shell one step closer to final approval to drill three new exploratory deepwater wells in the Gulf of Mexico. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says the project 130 miles off the Louisiana coast meets strict safety and environmental requirements. Shell... more »

• Appeals court issues a stay on drilling ruling

  March 15, 2011 5:46 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A federal appeals court has blocked a judge's order requiring regulators to act on several drilling permit applications. The federal government filed court documents earlier this month saying it may have to deny the applications if regulators must make a decision within 30 days as ordered.... more »

• Interior action ordered on two more drilling permits

  March 1, 2011 6:50 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The federal judge who overturned the Obama administration's moratorium on deepwater drilling after the Gulf oil spill ordered federal regulators on Tuesday to act on two more drilling permit applications. U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman ruled last month that the Interior Department must act within 30... more »

• Drilling "permit-orium" center of panel discussion

  February 23, 2011 4:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle says he hopes global factors will influence Washington's drilling permit process. He says a moratorium on deepwater drilling after last year's spill has morphed into a "permit-orium", because the permit process is so difficult that activity in... more »

• Landrieu backs move to block Obama nominee

  February 17, 2011 6:01 AM

  NEW ORLEANS- Louisiana's senior senator is supporting her colleague's move to place a hold on President Obama's nominee to head the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service until the Interior Department begins issuing drilling permits. On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., placed a hold on Dan Ashe's nomination. Sen. Mary... more »

• Lawsuit over drilling bans returns to court in La.

  January 12, 2011 3:35 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - An offshore drilling services company is asking a federal judge to rule that government regulators have unreasonably delayed action on deepwater drilling permit applications in the aftermath of the massive Gulf oil spill. Ensco Offshore Company is seeking a preliminary injunction that would require the Interior Department... more »

• Interior Department allows some suspended drilling to resume

  January 3, 2011 2:13 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration says 13 companies whose deepwater drilling activities were suspended last year may be able to resume drilling without detailed environmental reviews. Companies will be allowed to resume work at previously drilled wells, as long as they meet new policies and regulations. The... more »

• Senate: extend review time for offshore drilling

  December 14, 2010 4:43 PM

  WASHINGTON - A bill moving toward approval in the Senate would increase by 60 days the amount of time the Interior Department has to conduct environmental and safety reviews of offshore drilling projects. The bill would extend the review period for offshore exploration plans from 30 days to 90 days.... more »

• Three hurt in explosion on rig during welding

  December 1, 2010 11:30 AM

  JEAN LAFITTE, LA. (AP) - Three men were burned in an explosion and fire on a workover rig south of New Orleans. All three apparently are going to Baton Rouge General Medical Center's burn unit. They went first to West Jefferson Medical Center. Spokeswoman Taslin Alfonzo says one was going... more »

• Obama: No offshore driling in East Coast waters

  December 1, 2010 11:13 AM

  WASHINGTON - In a reversal, the Obama administration says it will not pursue offshore drilling in East Coast waters, including the eastern Gulf of Mexico. A senior administration official told The Associated Press on Wednesday that because of the BP oil spill, the Interior Department will not propose any new... more »

• Report: White House altered drilling ban report

  November 10, 2010 9:44 AM

  WASHINGTON D.C. - An inspector general says the White House edited a report about the administration's moratorium on offshore oil drilling to make it appear that scientists and experts supported the idea of a six-month ban on new drilling. The Interior Department's inspector general says the changes resulted "in the... more »

• News media banned from offshore drilling conference

  November 9, 2010 10:38 AM

  NEW ORLEANS--News organizations were barred from a conference over a company's claim that the government has not issued a single drilling permit, even though the moratorium was lifted last month. U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman said the hearing would be held in his chambers, and news organizations had no... more »

• Gas prices could climb due to Gulf spill impact

  October 26, 2010 5:39 PM

  Former Shell Oil President John Hofmeister said the U.S. is heading for an energy abyss, and fallout from the Deepwater Horizon spill will speed up the problems. Hofmeister said he predicts new drilling permits for the Gulf will not be approved by Washington, which will cause oil reserves to... more »

• Judge: Drilling safety rules improperly issued

  October 20, 2010 5:18 PM

  A federal judge has ruled that the Interior Department improperly issued new safety rules after it imposed a moratorium on deep water drilling in the aftermath of the Gulf oil spill. Tuesday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman says the rules imposed in a June 8 notice to offshore... more »

• Drilling ban to be lifted today

  October 12, 2010 11:26 AM

  The ban on offshore drilling, could be lifted by lunchtime. The Interior Department is set to discuss the ban at a mid-day news conference. Secretary Ken Salazar will "discuss the current suspensions on deepwater drilling," the Department said in a statement to media Tuesday morning. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs... more »

• WH: Drilling moratorium could be lifted this week

  October 12, 2010 10:19 AM

  The White House said Tuesday the government will lift a moratorium on deep water oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico "very soon" - likely this week. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the government is close to having the plans in place to lift the ban that was imposed... more »

• Judge asked to postpone trial for Gulf spill cases

  October 2, 2010 10:06 AM

  Some of the companies sued over the massive Gulf oil spill are asking a federal judge to postpone a trial designed to assign percentages of fault in the ill-fated Deepwater Horizon drilling project. A court filing Friday by Halliburton Energy Services, Cameron International and other companies says they need more... more »

• New drilling rules costly

  September 30, 2010 6:00 PM

  New oil drilling rules released by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar may be costly but will prevent another oil spill, according to oil industry experts. Those rules include tighter regulations on blowout preventers, better employee training, new ways to find and deal with safety hazards. Most of... more »

• New offshore drilling rules coming Thursday

  September 30, 2010 10:11 AM

  The Obama administration is set to release new rules for offshore oil drillers as it prepares to lift a ban on deepwater drilling. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is expected to announce the new rules, including some that address workplace safety, at a speech on Thursday. The rules are... more »

• Company asks judge to overturn drilling moratorium

  September 29, 2010 2:15 PM

  A company that owns and operates offshore drilling rigs asked a federal judge to throw out the latest moratorium on deepwater oil drilling. Arguments were heard on Wednesday on Ensco Offshore's bid to overturn a six-month drilling ban imposed in July following the BP oil spill in the Gulf... more »

• Drilling ban analysis due out a month early

  September 27, 2010 2:31 PM

  The government agency in charge of offshore drilling will weigh in a month ahead of schedule on whether a ban on new deepwater wells should be lifted. It's due to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar in late October. President Barack Obama imposed the drilling moratorium following the April 20... more »

• Sen. Landrieu: will block nominee until moratorium lifted

  September 23, 2010 5:12 PM

  Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu says she will block a Senate vote to confirm the nominee to a key White House economic office to protest the six-month moratorium on deepwater oil and gas drilling in the Gulf. Landrieu, a Democrat, says she will object to a vote on Jacob Lew to... more »

• Applications accepted for drilling moratorium fund

  September 11, 2010 9:49 AM

  Oil rig workers struggling because of a federal moratorium on new deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico are being urged to apply for money from a $100 million fund set up by BP. The Louisiana charity running the program, the Gulf Coast Restoration and Protection Foundation, says rig workers... more »

• Firm chosen to process fund applications

  August 27, 2010 4:53 AM

  A Covington company has been hired to process applications for money from a $100 million fund set up by BP to help oil rig workers idled by a federal moratorium on new deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The Louisiana charity running the program, the Gulf Coast Restoration and... more »

• Experts: Drilling ban worked, may not be needed

  August 26, 2010 5:15 PM

  An expert panel says a ban on deepwater drilling imposed by the Obama administration has been effective but may no longer be needed now that the oil industry and the government appear to have developed new, safer drilling regimes. The report by the Bipartisan Policy Center is likely to boost... more »

• Former offshore drilling chief expresses regret

  August 25, 2010 2:17 PM

  The head of the agency overseeing offshore drilling at the time of the BP oil spill says she deeply regrets that the accident occurred when she was in charge. The comments Wednesday at a hearing of the presidential commission investigating the spill are the first from Elizabeth Birnbaum since she... more »

• Gov't: 23K workers affected by Gulf oil drill ban

  August 21, 2010 9:45 AM

  Government documents show that more than 23,000 workers are affected by the moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. According a memo last month from Michael Bromwich, the nation's top drilling regulator, the six-month suspension is directly putting 9,450 people out of work. The memo also says the... more »

• Timeline for plugging well for good

  August 19, 2010 10:32 AM

  The final steps in plugging the blown-out well in the Gulf for good, will have to wait until after Labor Day. The government says they plan to replace the failed blowout preventer first. Then work on drilling a relief well will continue. Mud and cement will be pumped... more »

• Lt. Gov.: Ban an attempt to change energy policy

  August 18, 2010 8:13 AM

  Louisiana's lieutenant governor says President Barack Obama's continued moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico is an attempt to move the United States toward alternative energy at a high economic cost to the state. During a hearing before the state's two U.S. senators, Republican David Vitter and Democrat... more »

• Relief well: delayed again

  August 10, 2010 11:42 AM

  Storms threaten to pass directly over the blown-out well's site, and the government's point man says crews will suspend work on drilling a relief well, until the storm passes. The suspension could delay completion of the relief well by two or three days. Crews will install a temporary... more »

• Tulane hosts first forum on drilling ban

  August 4, 2010 5:49 PM

  Tulane University hosted the first of eight forums dealing with President Obama's ban on deepwater drilling. The president ordered the move after Deepwater Horizon exploded. It has drawn constant criticism from all levels of state government because critics say it could result in lost jobs. Officials with the... more »

• Gulf Oil Spill-Moratorium Fund

  August 2, 2010 11:14 AM

  An estimated 9,000 people could be eligible for grants from a $100 million fund to help struggling oil rig workers that are idle because of the federal moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf. Applications will be accepted from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30 from rig workers who are... more »

• BP establishes $100 million fund through Baton Rouge foundation

  July 30, 2010 9:08 AM

  BP today announced the company will establish a $100 million fund to help unemployed rig workers experiencing economic hardship as a result of the moratorium on deepwater drilling imposed by the United States federal government. The Rig Worker Assistance Fund will be administered through the Gulf Coast Restoration and Protection... more »

• Rally For Economic Survival - Lafayette

  July 21, 2010 11:36 AM

  It's being called the Rally For Economic Survival. Those who oppose Louisiana's recent drilling moratorium put into effect by the Obama administration--are coming together to voice concern for the state's economy. Featured speakers include Governor Jindal, Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser, Lt. Gov. Scott Angelle, and music from... more »

• Moratorium report stirs concern, controversy

  July 20, 2010 10:20 PM

  More concern and controversy over the deep-water drilling moratorium. An 18-page paper details the loss of jobs, pay, taxes and even schools. But some say the report is short-sighted. The dollars that flow into the state of Louisiana's coffers will be gone. The jobs on the coast, including those in... more »

• House panel OKs overhaul of oil drilling agency

  July 15, 2010 10:14 AM

  In Washington, a House panel approved legislation that would overhaul the Minerals Management Service, the agency responsible for regulating offshore drilling. The bill sets to divide the agency into three parts: one for leasing and permitting; one for inspections and investigations; and another to collect revenue. The bill would... more »

• Rig moved from gulf

  July 13, 2010 11:29 AM

  Another rig has been pulled from the Gulf of Mexico because of the deepwater drilling moratorium. Diamond Offshore Drilling pulled the "Ocean Confidence" rig to the Republic of Congo. The rig left over the weekend. The Houston-based company says a drilling contract with Murphy Exploration & Production Co.... more »

• Senator Landrieu supports judge's decision on drilling moratorium

  July 4, 2010 9:53 AM

  U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have filed court papers in support of lifting a moratorium against deepwater drilling. They are supporting a federal judge's ruling that shot down the Obama administration's decision to put a halt to deepwater drilling for six months. more »

• Gov't to issue more shallow water drilling permits

  June 30, 2010 12:16 PM

  An Interior Department official says the government is expected to issue more permits for drilling in shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The decision would not affect the six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling imposed in the aftermath of BP's Deepwater Horizon oil spill. While drilling in shallow... more »

• Drilling protesters join hands on oiled Fla. beach

  June 26, 2010 4:10 PM

  Hundreds of people including Florida's governor joined hands on an oil-stained strip of beach in the Florida Panhandle as part of an international demonstration against offshore drilling. Organizers of "Hands Across the Sand" said similar protests were held at beaches around the nation and in several foreign countries Saturday. The... more »

• Transocean criticizes Obama's drilling halt

  June 22, 2010 6:35 AM

  The owner of the sunken Deepwater Horizon rig has criticized the U.S. government's six-month ban on deepwater drilling in the area. Transocean Ltd. president Steven Newman said on the sidelines of an oil conference in London there were things President Barack Obama's administration "could implement today that would allow the... more »

• Family affected by drilling moratorium

  June 21, 2010 10:55 AM

  Members of one family in Cutoff, La. say their lives have been negatively impacted by President Obama's moratorium on deepwater drilling. Many state and local leaders fear the six month ban may change an entire way of life. However, President Obama says he is not lifting the ban until... more »

• Judge to hear bid to overturn halt on drilling

  June 20, 2010 3:06 PM

  Several oil service companies are asking a federal judge to block the Interior Department from enforcing a six-month moratorium on new deepwater drilling projects in the Gulf of Mexico. U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman is scheduled to hear arguments Monday on Hornbeck Offshore Services' bid for a court-ordered lifting... more »

• Family suffers from drilling ban

  June 17, 2010 11:37 PM

  State leaders continue to push for an end to President Obama's moratorium on deep-water drilling, saying it will add to the oil spill's effect on the economy. April 20th changed a lot of lives on the Gulf Coast. Kirk Rousse thought his trucking business in Cut-Off would benefit from the... more »

• Gulf oil relief well ahead of schedule

  June 17, 2010 10:05 AM

  A rig drilling a relief well meant to help stop the oil from flowing into the Gulf of Mexico is ahead of schedule, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Adm. Thad Allen says the drill is 10,000 feet below the seabed. It could come within ten feet of the... more »

• Pres. of LA Oil and Gas Assoc. against drilling moratorium

  June 16, 2010 4:53 PM

  President Obama announced a $100 million dollar fund for unemployed oil rig workers, but Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Don Briggs says it is not enough to supplement wages after President Obama called for a moratorium on deepwater drilling. more »

• Landrieu: Drilling moratorium causes economic harm

  June 10, 2010 7:21 AM

  Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu is calling on the Obama administration to end the moratorium on deepwater drilling, saying it will cause economic hardship in the region. Speaking on ABC's "Good Morning America," Landrieu said the moratorium was issued without much economic analysis and said the deepwater rigs in the Gulf... more »

• Interior clarifies rules on shallow drilling

  June 8, 2010 5:51 PM

  The Interior Department has issued new rules intended to clarify steps that oil and gas companies must complete before drilling wells in the Gulf of Mexico. The rules require operators to certify they meet all federal regulations and have tested their drilling equipment and reviewed procedures to ensure safety... more »

• Lawmakers frustrated over drilling ban

  June 3, 2010 6:42 PM

  A group of lawmakers stood in support of a resolution calling for an end to bans on drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The bi-partisan group included many state representatives from districts on, or near, the Louisiana coast. They say bans on drilling will only add major economic problems to... more »

• Obama extends stop on deepwater wells

  May 27, 2010 6:08 AM

  President Barack Obama is expected to announce Thursday that a moratorium on new deepwater oil drilling permits will be continued for six months while a presidential commission investigates. Controversial lease sales off the coast of Alaska will be delayed pending the results of the commission's investigation, and lease sales planned... more »