The American Petroleum Institute (API) issued the following statement from Senior Vice President and General Counsel Ryan Meyers after a federal court granted the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) more time to complete a new biological opinion for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and avoid significant consequences for American energy security.
'We welcome the court’s pragmatic decision to allow NMFS more time to complete a new biological opinion for oil and natural gas operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Today’s ruling provides only temporary relief and work still must be done to avoid disruptions to the backbone of our nation’s energy supply. We stand ready to work with NMFS and offer our industry's expertise to complete a new biological opinion that balances environmental protection and the world’s growing need for affordable, reliable energy.'
Earlier this year, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland vacated the NMFS 2020 Biological Opinion for Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas activities (BiOp) effective December 20. By vacating the BiOp without allowing enough time for NMFS to issue a new one, the court decision had threatened to shut down new and existing oil and natural gas operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
Energy production in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico is critical for not only meeting current and future energy demand, but also for supporting conservation programs, driving state and local economies and helping the U.S. meet our emissions reduction goals. In 2024, 14% of total U.S. crude oil production and 2% of natural gas production is projected to come from the Gulf of Mexico.
Source: API
