In response to a motion by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. District Court in New Orleans ordered that a security zone be established around the wreckage of the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The security zone, which would remain in place until at least Oct. 8, 2011, would extend 750 feet in all directions from the center of mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon. The wreckage, which is located in an area known as the Mississippi Canyon, also would extend from the sea floor of the GOM to the sea surface. The federal court ruled that it would be in the interest of the public to protect the search area and any evidence located in the area against intentional or unintentional loss. It directed the DOJ to inform the public and companies about the security zone. DOJ has informed companies, such as oil and natural gas producers, who have the means and equipment to operate in the wreckage site not to enter the security zone. The order will be enforced by the United States using vessels, aircraft or other appropriate means and equipment, the DOJ said. Eleven workers died in the blast aboard the Deepwater Horizon rig, which was owned and operated by Transocean Inc. and leased by BP plc (see NGI, April 26).
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Articles from District
Security Zone Built Around Deepwater Horizon Wreckage
In response to a motion by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. District Court in New Orleans has ordered that a security zone be established around the wreckage of the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).
Judge Rejects Plea to Dismiss Moratorium Lawsuit
New Orleans U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman, who in June blocked the federal government from enforcing a moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, last Wednesday denied the government’s second attempt to dismiss the lawsuit challenging the six-month moratorium. The Interior Department asked the court to dismiss the industry challenge as moot since the department had revoked the first moratorium that was the target of the June court decision and replaced it with a second moratorium.
Judge Rejects Government’s Plea to Dismiss Moratorium Lawsuit
New Orleans U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman, who in June blocked the federal government from enforcing a moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, Wednesday denied the government’s second attempt to dismiss the lawsuit challenging the six-month moratorium. The Interior Department asked the court to dismiss the industry challenge as moot since the department had revoked the first moratorium that was the target of the June court ruling and replaced it with a second moratorium.
New York Man Could Be Energy Patch ‘Bernie Madoff’
A 71-year-old New York state man pleaded not guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to bilking investors out of $35 million in a ponzi scheme involving oil and natural gas exploration in Kentucky and Tennessee.
New York Man Denies Energy Patch Swindle
A 71-year-old New York state man pleaded not guilty last Thursday in U.S. District Court to bilking investors out of $35 million in a ponzi scheme involving oil and natural gas exploration in Kentucky and Tennessee.
California Muni Signs up for ‘Green’ Gas
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has signed a $21 million, 15-year deal to buy landfill gas in Texas from Shell Energy North America to expand its renewable energy supplies. The contract calls for 6 billion Btu/d.
Las Vegas Developer Sues Kern River on Pressure Increase
A major residential developer west of Las Vegas, NV, on Monday filed a lawsuit against Kern River Gas Transmission Co. in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas to block the Wyoming-to-California pipeline’s plans to raise pressure in the line to bump up the throughout of the supplies from the Rockies to Southern California. A Kern River spokesperson told NGI the pipeline is expecting a FERC decision on the pressure upgrade before the end of May.
Senator Seeks to Block Interior Nomination over Disputed Utah Leases
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Wednesday voted out (17-5) the nomination of David Hayes to be deputy secretary of the Department of Interior to the full Senate for confirmation, but Sen. Robert Bennett (R-UT) signaled that he intends to place a “hold” on the nomination. This would prevent the Senate from confirming Hayes until the issues related to disputed Utah oil and natural gas leases are resolved to Bennett’s satisfaction.
Pennsylvania Lawmaker Seeks to Tax Energy Producers
Looking to shore up county, municipal and school district budgets without raising taxes on residents, Pennsylvania House Majority Whip Bill DeWeese (D-Greene County) is turning to Marcellus Shale oil and natural gas producers to foot the bill. He has introduced legislation that would allow counties to assess value to natural gas, oil and coalbed methane resources before they are produced and tax the producers.
