MARAD Issues Final Policy On Licensing Offshore Oil And LNG Export Facilities

Daron Threet is a Partner and Andrew Emerson is an Associate in the Washington D.C. office

HIGHLIGHTS:

• On May 7, 2015, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) issued its final policy regarding the review and processing of applications for the export of oil and natural gas from offshore deepwater port facilities under the Deepwater Port Act.
• The final policy provides that MARAD and the Coast Guard will use the existing licensing framework and regulations at 33 CFR Parts 148, 149 and 150 to evaluate and process export license applications and clarifies the regulatory requirements for converting import facilities to export facilities.
• The process began on Oct. 16, 2014, when MARAD issued a notice seeking public comments on its draft policy.