The Center for Western Priorities released its new Follow the Oil report today. CWP Policy Director, and report author, Greg Zimmerman used GIS mapping technology, EIA data, and other information to show that economic, technological and geological forces are moving drillers to private land. The report includes great infographics, and pretty much flies in the face of many industry claims that they’re being forced off federal lands. (The industry’s 7,0000 idle drilling permits and 20 million idle leased acres don’t help their argument either.)
Here’s an excerpt from the report’s executive summary:
“A combination of low natural gas prices and new shale extraction techniques inspired industry to look toward a more profitable commodity: shale oil. As a result, oil and gas companies moved their operations to areas where shale oil was abundant and offer the greatest potential profit.
The large majority of shale oil plays exist under nonfederal lands. Even in the Rocky Mountain West, where more federal land is located, 89 percent of the shale oil and mixed oil and gas plays are under nonfederal lands.”
Read the complete report.
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