The U.S. Energy Information Administration has a new report that details the decline in sales of oil and natural gas from production on federal lands (2003-2012). Key points:

• Sales of crude oil from federal lands, onshore and offshore, decreased 5 percent in fiscal year 2012 (ended Sept. 30) to 596 million barrels from 629 million barrels in FY 2011. That includes an 8-percent decrease in offshore volumes, partially offset by an 8-percent increase in much smaller onshore volumes.
• Natural gas sales from federal lands decreased 7 percent in FY 2012 to 4,262 billion cubic feet (bcf) from 4,584 bcf in FY 2011. Offshore volumes were down 19 percent, while onshore was virtually unchanged.
• Sales of all fossil fuels produced on federal lands (also including coal and natural gas plan... more »

Later this year EPA is expected to propose stricter ozone standards that could lower the current 75 parts per billion (ppb) limit to 60 ppb. First, a map showing areas of the country (in red) that exceed current 75 ppb standards, enacted in 2008:

Certainly, areas in red have a ways to go to meet ozone standards – but, obviously, much of the country is in compliance. Now, a map showing (orange and red) how much of the U.S. would be out of compliance if standards were set at 60 ppb:

We’ll do the calculating for you: At 60 ppb, 97 percent of the U.S. population would live in places out of compliance and subject to new emissions requirements. Virtually any human activity producing emissions could be restricted or affected. Howard Feldman, API’s director for regulatory and scientifi... more »

Gasoline prices have been rising with the approach of the summer driving season – up to about $3.66, according to AAA – pushed there by rising crude oil prices. U.S. consumers need help. And they could get it – if the administration pursued a number of energy policies to put downward pressure on global crude costs, while abandoning other choices that could harm consumers.

API Chief Economist John Felmy’s reporter briefing Thursday focused attention on two paths: one that will increase domestic production of oil and natural gas and one that won’t. Unfortunately, the administration – via proposals to increase energy taxes and a new wave of questionable regulation – looks headed down the wrong path, a recipe for disaster for American energy:

Felmy:

“The White House says it’s con... more »

Two new reports outline the importance of crafting the right policies to capitalize on America’s vast wealth in shale natural gas.

An American Chemistry Council (ACC) analysis points to rich capital investments and job gains to be realized in that sector because of abundant, affordable supplies of shale natural gas:

• $71.7 billion in chemical industry investments publicly announced through the end of March.
• 46,000 new chemical industry jobs by 2020.
• 264,000 jobs in supplier industries by 2020.
• 226,000 induced jobs in communities where chemical industry workers spend their wages.
• $20 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue.

ACC President and CEO Cal Dooley:

“The United States has become a magnet for chemical industry investment, a testament to the fav... more »

New Interior Department Secretary Sally Jewell is on the right track in her remarks at this week’s Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, committing Interior to providing “regulatory certainty, predictability (and) consistency” in oil and natural gas development.
This is critical to reverse recent declining development in federal areas. According to the Congressional Research Service, while oil production in non-federal areas was up 2009 to 2012, in federal areas it was down 6 percent:

Similar story for natural gas – rising production in non-federal areas compared to a 21 percent decline in areas controlled by the federal government:

The uncertainty Jewell wants to address shows in how long it takes to get a federal drilling permit, compared to the wait for a state permit (Ho... more »