WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar Thursday unveiled new regulations aimed at reshaping the nation's offshore drilling industry in the wake of the BP oil spill.

Salazar also defended his department's deepwater drilling ban. He said would lift the ban when he is "comfortable" that risks associated with drilling have been significantly reduced. (Reporting by Ayesha Rascoe; Editing by Marguerita Choy)