However, no Western company has been allowed to drill onshore yet.
Better still, California's landowners are allowed to drill for groundwater.
The company fired back, filing court papers seeking a judicial order that they be allowed to drill.
But he added that "we're pretty optimistic" that the company will be allowed to drill in 2012.
Forty-one nareons allowedowed to drill here (Britain included), but only Sweden and Russia currently accept the chilly invitation.
After the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster BP was barred from drilling in the Gulf, then … was allowed to drill in the Gulf.
The Chevron Corporation has appealed to the Commerce Department to be allowed to drill under an existing lease in an area rich with natural 25 miles south of Pensacola.
Others say the potential costs of another spill are so large that only deep-pocketed companies should be allowed to drill.
Oil companies should not be allowed to drill for oil until they develop technology capable of cleaning up a worst-case spill.
"Without the required well control system in place, Shell will not be allowed to drill into oil-bearing zones," Salerno said.
