Local Support to Drill Offshore South Carolina Gains Traction

Looking up into the derrick on a new jack-up rig, image: R.Almeida/gCaptain.com

“Offshore energy exploration and production could be an economic game changer for South Carolina,” says Congressman Jeff Duncan (R-SC) in a press statement this week.

For South Carolina, the immediate issue is the pending decision by the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to permit seismic survey operations offshore. In parallel however, South Carolina residents are being educated on what offshore exploration and production may mean for the state.

“One thing is for certain: South Carolina needs jobs and increased tax revenue to pay for education, infrastructure, and conservation needs,” says Duncan. “Studies have shown that offshore oil and gas development could create tens of thousands of South Carolina jobs over the next two decades, add $2.7 billion to our state economy, and generate over $80 million annually in new state revenue.”

Duncan notes that polling results last month showed that an overwhelming majority of South Carolinians support increased energy production, including the development of American offshore resources.