Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE)

Q    Does the President think there’s some benefit to the climate to drill oil in Venezuela and not here?

MR. KIRBY:  No, it has nothing to do with a benefit to the climate, Peter.  Again, there are 9,000 unused permits here in the United States on federal land that oil and gas companies can and should take advantage of.  Nine thousand.  And we’re talking about one there in Venezuela.

Oh no, not the 9000 permits response yet again!

Can someone please help the White House staff understand the difference between leases and permits, and the process that is followed in exploring for and producing oil and gas? Perhaps this will help.