A July 2014 poll revealed that if the US produced more oil and natural gas, it would greatly benefit job creation, increase government revenue and strengthen national security.
API and Harris Interactive Poll
According to a recent poll conducted by Harris Interactive for the American Petroleum Institute (API), Americans want the US to produce more domestic oil and natural gas.
The survey of more than 1000 registered voters revealed 77% strongly support increased production of domestic oil and natural gas resources located in the US, while only 14% oppose.
An overwhelming 94% of voters that were polled believe that it is important the federal government focuses on energy.
“American voters want more oil and natural gas produced here at home but do not see the federal government stepping up,” said API Upstream Group Director Erik Milito. “The US today prohibits oil and natural gas development in 87% of its offshore territory.”
A significant amount of offshore oil and natural gas resources are located in the 87% of waters the federal government has placed off-limits to energy exploration and development.
Ninety percent of voters understand that producing more oil and gas in the US creates more American jobs, and 82% acknowledge the positive impact for government budgets.
Milito says that expanding oil and natural gas development into the Atlantic, Pacific and eastern Gulf of Mexico would create good jobs, generate revenue for the government and strengthen national security.
The API said that increasing US energy production in areas the federal government currently holds off-limits would grow the economy and provide new sources of income for the government.
Oil and gas production dropped on federal lands and offshore areas between 2009 and 2013 while the rest of the country experienced an unprecedented energy revolution responsible for millions of jobs.
API will submit formal comments to the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) next week as the bureau considers where to hold offshore lease sales after the current program expires in 2017.
Just days before, on 18 July, the BOEM inched closer to allowing geographical surveys off the South and Mid-Atlantic coasts by issuing a record of decision (ROD) for an environmental review of surveying activities. Acting Director Walter D. Cruickshank noted that the ROD “does not authorize any activity,” but rather that it “establishes framework for additional mandatory environmental reviews.”
“As new scientific information becomes available, these additional findings can be incorporated into the survey-specific environmental reviews through an adaptive management approach,” Cruickshank says.
Cruickshank previously announced that the BOEM would include new survey information in its upcoming five year plan.
NOIA, API and Quest Offshore study
The poll echoed the findings of a previous QUEST Offshore Resources, Inc. joint study released December 2013 and commissioned by the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) and API, which sets out to highlight the potential benefits of opening the US Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to offshore oil and natural gas development.
The study showed that nearly 280,000 jobs would be created, and that such exploration could spur an additional $195 billion in new private investment, contributing up to S$24 billion per year to the US economy; generating $51 billion in new revenue for the government; and adding 1.3MMbbl/d to domestic energy production between 2017 and 2035.
“Opening up the Atlantic OCS is only part of the energy equation. The oil and natural gas industry must also be committed to significant financial investment and continue to show that these resources are developed efficiently and safely,” says Randall Luthi, NOIA president.
Photo of Cruickshank from BOEM
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