The U.S. has approved the first deep-water drilling permit in the Gulf of Mexico since last year's massive oil spill.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement says the permit is to continue work on a well about 70 miles southeast of Venice, La.
Noble Energy Inc. is the operator of the well.
The company started drilling on the well four days before the Deepwater Horizon exploded.
Drilling activity was suspended on June 12 when the U.S. placed a moratorium on deep-water exploration.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
