The Central Gulf of Mexico contains thousands of oil wells and hundreds of offshore drilling platforms.
November 20, 2025
high
descriptive
Description of the scale of existing hydrocarbon production infrastructure in the Central Gulf of Mexico.
The oil industry seeks access to new offshore areas, including parts of Southern California and offshore areas near Florida, to increase U.S. energy security and support jobs.
November 20, 2025
high
descriptive
General industry objective linking expanded offshore access to energy security and employment.
The United States federal government has prohibited oil drilling in federal waters of the eastern Gulf of Mexico since 1995, citing concerns about oil spills.
January 01, 1995
high
temporal
Longstanding federal restriction on new drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico tied to spill-risk concerns.
The United States federal government has not allowed oil drilling in federal waters of the eastern Gulf of Mexico since 1995 due to concerns about oil spills.
January 01, 1995
high
temporal
Historical federal restriction on offshore drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico tied to spill risk concerns.
California has existing offshore oil rigs, and there has been no new federal offshore oil leasing in California federal waters since the mid-1980s.
January 01, 1985
high
temporal
Historical pattern of limited federal leasing activity off California despite existing infrastructure.
There have been no new federal offshore oil-lease offerings in California's federal waters since the mid-1980s, although oil production continues from existing offshore platforms.
January 01, 1985
high
temporal
Longstanding absence of new federal leasing in California's offshore federal waters
The 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill was a catalyst for the modern environmental movement and prompted California to adopt stronger restrictions on offshore oil drilling.
January 01, 1969
high
temporal
Historic environmental impact that influenced offshore drilling policy in California