Federal Income from Crude Oil & Natural Gas: Issues & Options

The production of oil and natural gas in the United States has increased rapidly over the past decade. As of 2014, domestic production of crude oil had grown to about half of total consumption, and domestic production of natural gas represented almost 95 percent of total consumption. Domestic oil and gas production occurring on federal lands or in federal waters off the coast of the United States represented about one-fifth of total U.S. production in 2014. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects crude oil prices to average in the lower to upper $50 per barrel range through 2015. This lower price, if sustained, may impact long term oil development and lower production volumes. This book focuses on issues and options for federal income from crude oil and natural gas. It discusses potential budgetary effects of immediately opening most federal lands to oil and gas leasing, reviews U.S. crude oil and natural gas production in federal and non-federal areas, and provides a legal framework for offshore oil and gas development.