Oil And Gas Development On The Outer Continental Shelf

Moratoria provisions for the outer continental shelf, enacted over 26 years, prohibited federal spending on oil and gas development in certain locations and for certain activities. These annual congressional moratoria expired on Sept. 30, 2008. While the expiration of the legislative restrictions does not make leasing and drilling permissible in all offshore areas, it is a significant development in conjunction with other changes in offshore leasing activity. Contents of this report: (1) Recent Developments; (2) Economic Feasibility; Environmental Risk; Improvements in Offshore Technology; (3) Sources of U.S. Moratorium Policy; (4) Background on Ocean Governance; (5) U.S. Moratoria in International Areas; (6) Issues for Congress. Maps. Illustrations.

* Geological & geophysical environment of the OCS * Deep water operating agreement * Deep water royalty relief * Offshore platform sharing agreements, platform handling agreements, & production handling agreements * OCS due diligence issues * Current OCS topics of interest * IADC offshore drilling contract * Fabrication & construction of platforms * Subsea production * Regulatory requirements of acquiring & operating OCS properties * OCS emergency preparedness