WorldWide Drilling Resource

56 FEBRUARY 2014 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Americans Support Drilling Adapted from Information by the American Petroleum Institute A new poll conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Petroleum Institute (API) indicates 67% of voters nationwide support offshore drilling for domestic oil and natural gas resources. The report also showed this support bridged political party lines, with the majority of republicans (79%), democ- rats (57%) and independents (67%) favor- ing offshore drilling. “Americans get it. Domestic oil and natural gas devel- opment is a key driver for new jobs, economic growth, and energy securi- ty,” said Erik Milito, director of upstream and industry oper- ations for API. “Our country is now firm- ly positioned as an energy superpower, and most Americans want our nation to seize opportunities to build upon that status.” Nationwide, 90% of voters say pro- ducing more oil and natural gas here in the U.S. is important. “Americans are eager to put more of our offshore energy resources to work,” said Milito. “If explo- ration and development is allowed to safely expand to new areas, domestic oil and natural gas could provide more energy, jobs, and government revenue than ever before.” Work on the country’s five-year off- shore leasing plan, in which areas of the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf from Delaware to northern Florida could be made available for oil and natural gas leasing, should begin soon. Early next year, the administration is also expected to decide whether to permit seismic sur- veys in the area for the first time in 30 years. Seismic surveys, which have been used safely around the world without in- jury to marine mammals, are the most accurate method available to prospect for oil and natural gas reserves offshore. More accurate survey data makes off- shore energy production safer and more efficient by reducing its environmental footprint. Mike Ward, executive director of the Virginia Petroleum Council said, “Virginia has an opportunity to expand its energy portfolio both on and offshore. We could bring good-paying jobs to the Old Dominion and diversify our economy simply by allowing more oil and natural gas production to occur in our state and off our shores.” Floridians and residents of other coastal states also support offshore drilling. Dave Mica, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Council explained, “We can create good-paying jobs and strengthen our local economy by allowing more oil and natural gas production... As [Florida] Governor Scott just announced in Daytona Beach, an oil and gas tech- nology 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 explo- ration is granted in Florida both onshore and offshore.” The oil and gas industry supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and delivers $85 million a day in revenue to the govern- ment, and since 2000, has invested over $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to ad- vance all forms of energy. Pat & Jerry are happy to be in Nashville. Mark & Linda for QSP Packers LLC. 65th Annual Groundwater Expo and Meeting Nashville, TN Dec. 3-6, 2013 Gary, Heidi, Glen, & Jon from GEFCO. Rig Source Inc./Terramac crew waiting to help attendees. Cliff was very busy at the Armstrong Machine Co. booth.