HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.
![handle is hein.gao/gaobaaway0001 and id is 1 raw text is:
DCCUhLNT RESUME
03703 - rB2934204]1
[Analysis of Domestic Cil Production Possibilities for Meeting
iational Energy Goals]. EMD-78-5; E-178205. October Iu, 1977. 2
pp. + 2 enclrsures (6 pp.).
Report to the Congress; by Elmer B. Staats, Comptroller G neral.
issue Area: Tax Policy (1500); Energy (1600);Science and
Technology (2000).
Contact: Energy and Minerals Div.
Budget Function: Ilatural Resources, Environment, and Energy
(300).
Congressional relevancp: Congress.
Authority: H.R. 84U4 (05th Cong.).
One of the goals of the Administration's National
Fnergy Plan (NEP) was to reduce oil imports to 6 million barrels
per day (MMB/D) by 19P5. In a previous report, GAO concluded
thac oil imports would more I.:sly be about 10.3 MMB/D in 1985
because of overly optimistic Administration prcjections of
energy supplies from other sources. The Administration also
projected 10.6 MMB/D for domestic oil production.
Fihlings/Conclusions: Analvsis of dcmestic oil pzoduction
possibilities indicates that an estimate in the range of 8 to 9
MMI/D seems more realistic than the Administration e:,timate. In
spite of the beginning of petroleur output frcm Prudhoe Bay,
Alaska, most of the U.S. output ty 1985 will ccme from the lower
48 SLates. The NEP estimate that 8.6 MMB/D will come from the
lower States would require finding iew fields at almost twice
the rate ever experienced since 1946. Since 1973, additions to
reserves have fallen steadily and this trend will probably iot
soon be reversed. The level of production estimated by GAO would
result in a shortfall of from 1.6 to 2.6 MMB/D which would mean
that up to 12.9 MMB/C would have tc be imported to meet domestic
demand. Although the overall objectives of NEP are desirable,
the specific program goals are unrealistic. Recommendations:
Congress should focus i.he energy debate on national energy goals
and the strategy to achi. ve them. After an assessment of our
energy future and its options, the Congress coult! establish
realistic goals and enact proyrams to meet them, establishing
milestones to assess progress. Standby measures should also be
adopted for use if satisfactory progress is not indicated. (HTW)](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.gao/gaobaaway0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)