The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security is encouraging some oil companies to “self-classify” their condensate for export, Reuters reports. It is the first sign that the U.S. government is warming up to the idea of allowing companies to export crude oil without its permission. The agency’s talks, however, do not represent a change in U.S. policy on crude exports since self-classification is allowed under federal export controls.
It was reported last month BHP Billiton would begin exporting condensate without U.S. government approval after striking a $50 million sales agreement with a Swiss trading firm.
