Louisiana’s Economy Braces for Big Changes in Offshore Drilling

The oil and gas industry is a huge force for the economy of Louisiana. Thousands of people work on offshore drilling rigs in the gulf. But changes could be on the way.
President Trump has announced a new strategy for offshore drilling in the gulf. This new plan would expand drilling. It would include the waters off the coast of Florida. Previously, that area has been off-limits.

READ MORE: Deep Water Horizon Disaster Impacts Dolphin Population

Florida leaders site the billions of dollars in beach tourism for the reason they want to keep oil drilling in the eastern gulf off-limits.

The Trump administration says this move will advance the U.S. as "energy dominant". This new plan involves the largest offering of offshore lease sales in decades, prompting immediate reactions from industry leaders, environmental groups, and Gulf Coast lawmakers.

The New Five-Year Leasing Plan and the Central Gulf

These new lease sales would happen between 2027 and 2030. Much of this production is expected to happen in the Central and Western Gulf which has been the heart of production for deep water drilling for Louisiana.

But this new plan would push the drilling efforts eastward toward Florida. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is pushing for this change. He says by "moving forward with the development of a robust, forward-thinking leasing plan, we are ensuring that America’s offshore industry stays strong, our workers stay employed, and our nation remains energy dominant for decades to come."

READ MORE: Offshore Drilling first Happened in North Louisiana

Who Supports this Drilling Expansion Plan

The American Petroleum Institute supports this plan, saying this is an "historic step" toward unleashing more offshore resources, emphasizing the critical role Louisiana-based infrastructure and workers play in supporting this massive endeavor.

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Pushback from Florida on the Gulf Oil Drilling Expansion Plan

This new federal plan could be the start of aggressive expansion into areas that have previously been off-limits. Specifically off the coast of Florida. This plan does require that drilling must be at least 100 miles offshore.

I have to remind you about the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010. This massive disaster change the gulf along the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama coasts forever. The water has darkened and it is just not as blue green as it used to be. But this drilling site was about 50 miles offshore.

But Florida Is Pushing Back Against This Plan

Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is urging the President to reconsider this plan. And Republican Senator Rick Scott urged the administration to reconsider. He says the Florida coast “must remain off the table for oil drilling.”

What This Change Would Mean for Louisiana

Louisiana already has thousands of wells and hundreds of drilling platforms in the central gulf. This expansion would bring more jobs and potential for growth for our major energy ports and service industries.