API finds more Americans in favour of offshore drilling for domestic oil and natural gas resources

Three recent polls conducted by Harris Interactive for the American Petroleum Institute (API)’s “What America is Thinking on Energy Issues” series reveal that a majority of voters in Florida, North and South Carolina support offshore drilling for domestic oil and natural gas resources.

Sunshine state supports offshore drilling
A majority 64% of voters in Florida support offshore drilling for domestic oil and natural gas resources, according to a new poll conducted by Harris Interactive for API’s “What America is Thinking on Energy Issues” series. This support bridged across party lines, with clear majorities of Republicans (89%), Democrats (55%) and Independents (57%) all in favour of offshore drilling.

“Floridians and residents of other coastal states are in the same boat in support of offshore drilling,” said Dave Mica, Executive Director of the Florida Petroleum Council. “We can create good-paying jobs and strengthen our local economy by allowing more oil and natural gas production here in the Sunshine State. As Governor Scott just announced in Daytona Beach, an oil and gas technology firm will add 100 jobs in our state to support exploration and production in other states. The multiplier effect for high tech and engineering jobs will be tremendous if additional access to exploration is granted in Florida both onshore and offshore.”

In Florida, 87% of voters also say producing more oil and natural gas here at home is important. Again, there was broad agreement between Republicans (92%), Democrats (86%) and Independents (81%).

North Carolina encourages energy production
The same poll found that 65% of voters in North Carolina support offshore drilling for domestic oil and natural gas resources. This support bridged across party lines, with clear majorities of Republicans (79%), Democrats (54%) and Independents (63%) all in favour of offshore drilling.

“North Carolina voters continue to support energy production in this state,” said David McGowan, Executive Director of the North Carolina Petroleum Council. “The path from the earliest phase of planning an offshore lease sale to the first day of production can take more than 10 years. North Carolina has the opportunity to produce energy off its coast and create jobs to fuel our economy while also ensuring the protection of the environmental resources that make our state such a special place.”

In North Carolina, 89% of voters also say producing more oil and natural gas here at home is important. Again, there was broad agreement between Republicans (98%), Democrats (92%) and Independents (78%).

South Carolina sees fiscal benefits in domestic energy resources
There is a clear show of support in South Carolina, with 77% of voters recognising the need for offshore drilling for domestic oil and natural gas resources in the API poll. This support bridged across party lines, with clear majorities of Republicans (88%), Democrats (67%) and Independents (77%) all in favour of offshore drilling.

“South Carolinians want every opportunity to create jobs and boost the state economy,” said Kay Clamp, Executive Director of the South Carolina Petroleum Council. “The United States is leading the world in energy development, and allowing South Carolina to produce offshore energy could mean increased revenues to ease the pressure on government budgets.”

In South Carolina, 91% of voters also say producing more oil and natural gas here at home is important. Again, there was broad agreement between Republicans (95%), Democrats (88%) and Independents (95%).

Next five-year offshore leasing plan and seismic surveys
The Obama administration will soon begin work on its next five-year offshore leasing plan, in which areas of the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and the Eastern Gulf of Mexico could be included for oil and natural gas leasing. Early next year, the administration is also expected to decide whether to permit seismic surveys in the Atlantic from Delaware to northern Florida for the first time in 30 years.

Seismic surveys, which have been used safely around the world for decades, are the most accurate method available to prospect for oil and natural gas reserves offshore apart from drilling. More accurate survey data makes offshore energy production safer and more efficient by reducing its environmental footprint. Technological advances and data collection improvements since seismic surveys were last conducted in the US Atlantic OCS have rendered old resource estimates obsolete.

Adapted from press release by Cecilia Rehn

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/exploration/18102013/americans_in_favour_of_offshore_drilling_for_energy_resources/