Rystad Energy expects the Trump administration’s new oil and gas leasing plan to make 65 billion barrels of oil equivalent newly available to fossil fuel exploration and production companies, according to a new report by Reuters . “Looking purely at areas that are potentially going to come out of restriction, we are talking about something closer to 65 billion boe,” Rystad senior analyst Sonia Passos said in a note. The proposal, officially announced last week, has met with severe resistance in Florida, where the coastal tourism sector stands to lose from any accidental oil spills caused by the new drilling. Trump’s White House announced yesterday that waters around Florida would not be authorized for deep sea drilling after the state’s Republican governor took a strong stand against the draft plan. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said , “I support the governor’s position that Florida is unique and its coasts are […]