all forward looking permits were stopped. plans were stopped, exploration plans, development plans, new well permits, workover permits, pipeline permits. it was all stopped. reporter: that rig we were just on, one of four owned by spartan offshore have been idled. the doi tells me today while the moratorium stopped operations at 33-degree water rigs, production operations continue on 46 rigs in deeper than 1,000 feet water. shepard: more tarballs in the region i m reading. unbelievable for the residents of new orleans. we thought they were far enough removed but on the it doorstep, 100 new pounds pounds of
permits, pipeline permits, it was all stopped. but the interior department says new permits are being granted and oil production facilities have continued to pump. yes, there s some light at the end of the tunnel. we want them back working in five to seven days. spartan off shore and marlon energy says they ve lost millions of dollars over the past month but the department of interior tells me today they insist oil production is ongoing out there. yes, the off-shore deepwater exploration activity completely idled 33 operations. however, there are 46 oil rigs still producing oil at waters deeper than 1,000 feet. shep? all of this as the fishermen wait for their checks by the hundreds. first, though, drilling is already illegal off the coast of the state of florida but governor there, charlie crist says that s not good enough. today, he called a special session of the florida legislature to convene later this month to consider putting a constitutional ban on the ballot