Drilling ban likely to be lifted this week

WASHINGTON - The White House said Tuesday the government will lift a moratorium on deep water oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico ``very soon'' likely this week.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the government is close to having the plans in place to lift the ban that was imposed after the massive Gulf oil spill.
When asked if he was saying the ban will be lifted this week, Gibbs said: ``I do.''

He emphasized that the move would include new requirements for those seeking to drill exploratory wells. Those entities and the companies they represent will have to prove they have the appropriate steps in place to contain a worst-case scenario.

The administration has already imposed new rules to make offshore drilling safer. The moratorium is set to expire Nov. 30.