Search

No suitable approach exists for managing risks and dangers associated with deepwater drilling, the National Academy of Engineering and National Research Council joint committee has concluded. The committee based its conclusion on its investigation of BP PLC's runaway oil well Macondo in the Gulf of Mexico. It also said the company lacks checks and balances for critical decisions.

Former United States Department of the Interior secretary J. Robinson West said the government's offshore oil and gas safety programs must be continuous. He also said a static regulatory system cannot keep up with a dynamic environment. West has also recommended active collaboration among operators, contractors, employees and regulators.

Experts have told the United States government's commission on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and offshore drilling that more science is required in offshore oil and gas planning. Some witnesses have claimed that the former US Minerals Management Service lacked scientific guidance. The use of experts from US agencies has been recommended.

The United States House of Representatives has passed legislation in response to the oils spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The bill would extend whistleblower protection to workers at offshore oil and gas rigs. Comments from officials are also presented.

The United States Department of the Interior has implemented new safety rules for offshore oil and gas activities upon US president Barack Obama's orders. The rules include a six-month deep drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico. The agency is planning to form working groups to develop more recommendations.

The US Senate remained divided over the proposed increase of the oil spill liability limit under the 1990 Oil Pollution Act from $75 million to $10 billion. The Department of the Interior and the Department of Homeland Security asked BP PLC over its plans to use money from the oil spill liability fund.

United States senators have grilled BP America Inc., Trancocean Ltd. and Halliburton Co. executives over the oil spill off Louisiana. BP president LaMar McKay said the company is investigating why the oil well's blowout preventer did not work. The senators have demanded that BP pay all clean-up costs.

The increase in North American shale gas production is seen to impact world supply. The technology behind shale gas production could change gas supply patterns overseas. United States shale gas development is also forecasted to respond to market demand.

Independent oil producers have joined forces to protest tax reform proposals removing so-called tax loopholes. They contend that such proposals will harm their ability to stay in business.

United States oil and gas executives' views on regulations imposed by the US president Barack Obama are presented. American Petroleum Institute president Jack N. Gerard said the oil sector will focus on the industry as a job creator. National Gas Association of America president Donald F. Santa said climate change legislation could impact gas pipelines transport.

Independent oil and gas companies are wary over the United States government's proposed tax increases. The industry is already feeling the pressure from lower commodity prices. States' revenues from oil and gas taxes have dropped owing to reduced drilling activities.

The United States House Natural Gas Resources Committee is studying a proposal to change federal oil and gas leasing. The proposal would consolidate the US Bureau of Land Management and US Minerals Management Service. It will also shorten lease periods from 10 years to five years.

A proposed cap-and-trade legislation will adversely affect oil refiners in the United States, ConocoPhillips executive Red Cavaney said. The sector will pay $68 billion annually in carbon tax. Comments from lawmakers are also presented.

The United States Bureau of Land Management and Minerals Management Service should clarify oil and gas lease policies, US Department of Interior inspector general Mary L. Kendall said. Producers who hold federal leases have little obligation to actually produce oil and gas. The agencies also do not inquire about oil companies' production strategies.

U.S. governors brought a wide range of energy ideas to the 2009 winter meeting of the National Governors Association in Washington. Some governors continued to support the development of alternative and renewable resources, while others mentioned falling revenues in the oil industry. Information about unconventional gas production is also provided.

US President Barack Obama mentioned energy as a key area to the nation's economic future during the State of the Union Address on 24 February 2009. He called for the implementation of a market-based cap on carbon emissions and increased renewable energy research.

US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar implemented an ethics reform program to examine the conduct of employees in the US Minerals Management Service. The program will also consider restructuring of the oil and gas royalty program of the agency, as well as the ethics regulations and policies of the Department of the Interior.

The oil and gas industries are seen to undergo many changes with United States president-elect Barack Obama's assumption of office. Obama's campaign platform has focused on the promotion of alternative and renewable sources of energy. Comments from industry executives are also presented.

Natural gas producers and state regulators in Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia are working together to address problems in natural gas extraction from the Marcellus shale. Challenges include different regulatory environments, climate, water availability and use, and hydrological fracturing.

United States lawmakers said stronger oil market regulations are needed following the discovery of the role of speculative investments' in the oil price increases. Institutional investors' investment of $60 billion in major commodity indexes has also affected oil prices. Supply and demand are also seen as a factor in the rise in oil prices.

The United States petroleum and gas industries are recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Ike. Twenty-eight offshore oil and gas production platform have been reported destroyed by the hurricane. Comments from industry analysts are also presented.

Bipartisan groups in the United States Senate and House of Representatives have unveiled a new oil proposal to break the deadlock in Congress over the issue. The proposal combines responsible, targeted increases in domestic oil and gas production. Funding of the conversion of vehicles to nonpetroleum sources is provided for in the bill.

US President George W. Bush lifted a presidential ban on oil and gas leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) on 14 July 2008 and called on the US Congress to lift moratoriums on oil and gas leasing on the OCS. Republican members of the US Congress approved of the action while Democrats condemned it.

The United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission is set to hold an inquiry on the local crude oil market and derivatives. The probe also involves international surveillance of crude oil trading. The move is aimed at ensuring that the energy futures markets operate free from manipulation and abuse.

Members of the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voiced concerns about the impact of speculation on oil prices. The plan of Representative John B. Larson to introduce a bill requiring investors to take deliveries of petroleum and petroleum products is opposed by oil companies.

High gasoline prices are being caused by crude oil prices and not refinery turnarounds, according to officials from the American Petroleum Institute. Maintenance of oil refineries is proceeding according to seasonal patterns, according to these officials.

Representative Edward J. Markey urged major oil companies to divert about 10% of their profits to research on alternative energy. He also called on them to support HR 5351, which would allocate $18 billion to renewable energy research.

Oil and gas industry associations expect bigger legislative struggles in the Democrat-controlled US Congress. Global climate change is expected to remain on top of the agenda, while industry association executives expressed willingness to negotiate with legislators and government officials.

The US Senate voted 86-8 in favor of a bill mandating an increase in motor vehicle efficiency to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Provisions taxing oil and gas producers to invest in renewable energy and setting a renewable portfolio standard for electric utilities were removed.

Oil and Gas activity in the Rocky Mountains is threatening public and the environment especially hydraulic fracturing fluids according to several witnesses who addressed the House Ov ersight and Government Affairs Committee. State and federal regulators argue that available evidence show no evidence of conclusive health or environmental effects from these activities.

The strategies adopted by American petroleum and gas industries for avoiding any kind violation to United States Corrupt Practices Act during foreign deals are discussed.

Increasing political activity in the United States and its effects on the country's petroleum industry in 2007 is discussed.

The issues regarding the energy supply are expected to play major role in United States elections. The growth of liquefied natural gas market has made big difference in reducing gas supply problem.

The latest reports released by United States Federal Trade Commission revealed no instances of illegal manipulations to increase gasoline prices following Hurricane Katrina.

Senators belonging to the state of New Jersey have asked George Bush to complain against the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) through the World Trade Organization (WTO) in response to the rising gasoline prices. The senators are of the opinion that OPEC has prohibited WTO's export quotas rules.

United States oil industry is expecting that political turbulence will continue to affect the industry in 2006, views expressed by several trade association presidents in this context are presented.

United States Congress has warned the current global petroleum markets, of limits to gasoline prices relief. The impact of Hurricane Katrina on the oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico and some Gulf Coast refineries is discussed.

The American Petroleum Institute has expressed support for the creation of a state-based registry for disclosing hydraulic fracturing fluid chemicals. The registry is being jointly developed by the Ground Water Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. But the protection of confidential business information will be prioritized by the registry.

The planned Keystone crude oil pipeline expansion project will benefit the United States economy, Energy Policy Research Foundation Inc. has reported. The project is expected to provide around $100 to $600 million a year of net economic benefits. The project involves the construction of a cross-border oil pipeline from Alberta to US Gulf Coast refineries.

American Petroleum Institute Sarah Banaszak said state and federal lawmakers should refrain from heavily taxing or restricting development of natural gas from shale formations. Pittsburg, Pennsylvania has banned gas drilling within the city limits. Banaszak said states can get more revenue from higher gas production than from raising taxes.

The United States Department of the Interior's (DOI)inspector general's office has found that the government's recommendation for a moratorium on deepwater drilling did not undergo a scientific peer review. Scientists and the oil and gas industry have expressed concern over the findings. The moratorium was based on the DOI's recommendations.

The design of the Macondo oil well has laid the conditions for its eventual blowout, investigators have revealed. The well's design has been deemed adequate for planning but deficient in detail. Comments from experts are also included.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) has expressed concern over the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) implementation of poorly conceived and researched ozone and greenhouse gas regulations. The EPA has proposed to reduce allowable ozone levels. The API said the EPA regulations are but responses to political pressure.

Southwestern Energy Co. and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) have been working to resolve issues concerning shale gas development. Southwestern executive vice president Mark K. Boiling said the debate on hydraulic fracturing has failed to answer the obstacles surrounding shale gas development. Southwestern and EDF are planning to develop draft of potential regulations.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has increased the allowable ethanol limit for model year 2007 or newer cars to 15 percent. The National Petrochemical and Refiners Association and the American Petroleum Institute has criticized the move. Comments from executives are also included.

United States Bureau of Offshore Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement director Michael R. Bromwich said international cooperation is key to the creation of offshore oil and gas regulations. He also cited the need for safer and more environmentally responsible drilling. Bromwich also highlighted recent oil spills as reasons for the need for new regulations.

George Jugovic Jr., a regional director at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, expressed his confidence about the effectiveness of the agency's regulations on shale gas operations. He believes that air and water quality will not be compromised by the operation of shale gas wells.

The American Petroleum Institute urged the prompt lifting of the deepwater drilling moratorium upon the issuance of new safety regulations. Interim final rules imposing new technical requirements for deepwater drilling may be issued by the end of September 2010.

Witnesses told an independent US oil spill commission that an oill spill response plans for offshore operations in Alaska should reflect the conditions there. They also emphasized the need for more research and exercises.

Jane Lubchenco, administrator of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, said that sound science is driving the federal response to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The administration used oil trajectory and weather forecasts to guide the response, according to her .