Offshore policy remains unclear after drilling ban

In the aftermath of the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico several key energy-related policy themes have collided, as environmental concerns come up against the energy security aims outlined by President Obama as a key part of his platform since the campaign trail in 2008.

The explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig on April 20 has lead to an estimated leak of 5,000 barrels of oil per day (b/d) into the Gulf of Mexico. While an investigation into the cause of the explosion and the safety