The destin dome is primarily a natural gas resource, not an oil resource. We don't necessarily have to tap into it now, as we currently have ample supply of natural gas from other sources. (The country actually exports excess natural gas.) But in time, as supplies dry up, we'll ultimately have to tap it. In preparation for that, we should be doing exploratory drilling to figure out where the resources are, basically long term planning for our future. I believe this is why Obama signed off on opening up new areas of the gulf for exploration.
