Offshore Oil & Gas Development: Background & Issues (Energy Science, Engineering and Technology)

Access to potential oil and gas resources under the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) continues to be controversial. Moratoria on leasing and development in certain areas were established by Congress (beginning in 1981) and by the President (beginning in 1990). Pressure to expand oil and gas supplies and protect coastal environments and communities will likely lead Congress and the Administration to consider carefully which areas to keep open to leasing and which to protect from development. This book examines the ultimate impact of oil and gas development in offshore areas which will depend on oil and gas prices, volumes of resources actually discovered, infrastructure development, and restrictions placed on development, all of which carry significant uncertainties.