ExxonMobil gets GoM drilling permit from BOEMRE

March 23, 2011
ExxonMobil has received a permit to drill a new well in Keathley Canyon block 919 in the Gulf of Mexico from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement.

Offshore staff

NEW ORLEANS – ExxonMobil has received a permit to drill a new well in Keathley Canyon block 919 in the Gulf of Mexico from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement. This makes the fourth approved deepwater drilling permit released by BOEMRE following the Macondo incident. This is the first permit approved that names the Marine Well Containment Co. as the containment system supplier.

The well is in 6,941 ft (2,116 m) of water about 240 mi (386 km) off the Louisiana coast. ExxonMobil had a permit to drill and a rig on site before the Macondo oil spill.

“We will continue to review and approve applications that demonstrate the ability to operate safely in deep water,” said BOEMRE Director Michael R. Bromwich. “As we have seen, the rate of deepwater permit applications is increasing, which reflects growing confidence in the industry that it understands and can comply with the applicable requirements, including the containment requirement. We expect additional permit approvals in the near future.”

03/23/2011