Some things that people at times forget to factor into this debate, include the cost of finding and developing a field offshore; it increases with distance. And, how much of this cost will our overlords at ExxonMobil expect us to pay through tax subsidies? How feasible is it to go after this oil, and what quality is it? If it were profitable I don't think that Congress or Santa Barbara could have stopped them for all these years since platforms in the Gulf and North Sea have figured out how to drill in fairly deep water.

Politically it is turning into an issue like abortion and gay marriage. The right will use it during campaigns knowing that nothing will materialize later.