ATP Oil & Gas Corporation says that the Mississippi Canyon (MC) 941 #3 well at its Telemark location can be completed and the current drilling operation at MC 305 #2 in the Canyon Express area will need to be temporarily suspended. Both announcements are in compliance with the May 30, 2010 6:52 pm CDT Notice to Lessees (NTL) from the Minerals Management Service (MMS) which imposed a six month moratorium on drilling operations in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico as a result of the BP oil spill. Additional clarity regarding the application of the NTL was gained from other pronouncements and releases during ensuing days.

Addressing this update, T. Paul Bulmahn, Founder, Chairman and CEO of ATP expressed, "The tragedy of loss of human life and damage to the environment when discussing the BP oil spill cannot be overstated. Everyone at ATP Oil & Gas Corporation would like to extend our deepest sympathy and continued prayers and support to both individuals and families who have been impacted by these events. As nothing compares to the tragedy of loss of life, we also ask that no one forget the estimated forty-five thousand workers and the families of those workers that will find themselves unemployed as a result of the imposed deepwater work stoppage."

Tags: ATP Oil & Gas Corporation