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"But, as they say, that was then. Since the election, both the incoming administration and Congress have signaled that they might reverse position and undo this policy. And two key Obama appointments might want to go further."

I highly doubt Obama will reverse position. First, on the surface, these are badly needed jobs and relatively 'easy' oil that smaller exploration companies need in order to survive. Secondly, and more importantly, American oil means royalties on every barrel of oil pumped, which Obama will desperately want to have, and thirdly, and most important, TAXES! Obama is going to raise taxes on gasoline as high as he can, don't be surprised if those taxes reach levels of taxation seen in Europe.
Obama desperately needs revenues, and oil is a very available source right now, along with cigarettes and alcohol.
Obama will want as much American oil as he can get. If Mid east oil demand increases, opec will try get those prices back up as high as possible, which will reduce the level of taxation Obama may otherwise be able to generate on cheaper world oil prices. Keeping demand on mid-east and Russian oil low is in his best interests.