Interior, Coast Guard to size up Cuba-bound rig

The Interior Department and U.S. Coast Guard will soon carry out a highly anticipated inspection of Spanish oil giant Repsol’s drilling rig that’s slated to begin operations in Cuban waters.

The inspection of the Cuba-bound rig is expected in the next week, according to Interior Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz.

“As you know, Repsol has invited the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and the Coast Guard to inspect equipment and relevant documentation. The inspection is being conducted to protect the interests of the United States,” she said in an email Friday.

“Such actions are consistent with our ongoing efforts to minimize the possibility of a major oil spill,” Schwartz said.

Cuba’s offshore drilling plans have drawn the ire of a number of U.S. lawmakers who oppose the Cuban regime and fear spills that could reach U.S. shores.

Interior lacks regulatory authority over drilling in Cuban waters, but a top Interior official said late last year that Repsol has pledged to meet U.S. safety standards, which were beefed up after the 2010 BP oil spill.

E2 has more on the planned inspection and Capitol Hill opposition to Cuban drilling here, here and here.