Diamond Offshore announced Friday that its Ocean Endeavor drilling rig will leave the Gulf of Mexico and move to Egyptian waters immediately -- making it the first to abandon the United States in the wake of the BP oil spill and a ban on deep-water drilling.
The Ocean Endeavor's exodus probably won't be the last, according to oil industry officials and Gulf Coast leaders who warn that other companies eager to find work for the now-idled rigs are considering moving them outside the U.S.
Many in the Gulf are saying thank you Mr. President -- your drilling ban is increasing our Arab world oil dependence and at the same time putting thousands of workers on the unemployment rolls.
The CEO of Houston-based Diamond, signaled that other of his company's rigs could be relocated, too.
"As a result of the uncertainties surrounding the offshore drilling moratorium, we are actively seeking international opportunities to keep our rigs fully employed," Dickerson said. "We greatly regret the loss of U.S. jobs that will result from this rig relocation."
This is especially troubling since the administration has made it clear that they will do whatever is necessary to keep the drilling ban in place.
It's much more than just gasoline. Click on the second link below for scores of products dependent on oil. Along with the economy in the Gulf, these products are all negatively impacted by the Obama drilling ban.
Link here and here.
A picture of my cave
..
..
