HOUSTON, Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Jim Noe, Executive Director of the Shallow Water Energy Security Coalition, issued the following statement regarding today's meeting with Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to discuss the challenges that continue to face operators in the Gulf of Mexico.

We appreciate the time and effort that Secretary Salazar, Deputy Secretary Strickland and Director Bromwich have taken to meet with our coalition to discuss the need to put the Gulf back to work ensuring the energy and economic security of the United States.

However, we are disappointed that the federal government gave us no commitments at this meeting. While candid discussions are important to frame the issues, unfortunately the time for discussion has passed for many of our most expert and productive drillers in the Gulf.  For them, the continual slowdown in permitting has gone situation critical, leaving them with the uncomfortable choice between economic ruin or leaving the Gulf entirely for other regions of the world.  In either case, American workers, businesses, and consumers are paying the price.

As our industry's track record demonstrates, shallow-water drillers remain committed to the highest standards of safe and responsible drilling practices and design.  However, the continued radical uncertainty over what is sufficient to meet new government pronouncements has slowed activities in the Gulf's shallow waters to a trickle, diminishing both the security and economic vitality of the United States.

Suffice to say, we are ready to get back to work.  We hope that today signals the long awaited point where action at the Interior Department will match the rhetorical commitment to let Gulf Coast communities get back to work providing clean and secure fuels.  The thousands of workers whose livelihoods depend on the Gulf of Mexico's shallow-water industry are counting on it.

About the Shallow Water Energy Security Coalition

The Shallow Water Energy Security Coalition comprises a group of companies—Apache Corporation, Arena Offshore, Chevron, Delta Towing, Dynamic Offshore Resources, Energy XXI, Ensco, Hall-Houston Exploration, Hercules Offshore, Phoenix Exploration, Rowan Companies, Seahawk Drilling, W&T Offshore, and Walter Oil & Gas— that explore, develop and drill for natural gas and oil in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  The coalition was established to enhance the understanding of shallow-water operations as policymakers develop legislative and regulatory responses to recent events. Follow us on Twitter @ShallowWaterNRG

SOURCE Shallow Water Energy Security Coalition

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http://www.shallowwaterenergy.org/