Letter from the US: offshore gets that sinking feeling

Low-carbon ambitions could jeopardise national energy security if drilling moratorium proves permanent

Advocates for the US oil and gas sector are mulling the impact of a pause in drilling permits from President Joe Biden. Much of the conversation about US energy revolves around the handful of inland shale basins that account for more than 70pc of oil production. But legacy offshore output could also be adversely affected if the ban is extended. “Continued offshore oil and gas leasing and production is critical to maintaining affordable supplies of energy for all walks of life and for advancing our national security,” says Erik Milito, president of offshore body the National Ocean Industries Association. Milito was speaking at a virtual forum hosted by the Interior Department to vet the pause