Louisiana stands to gain more than 31,000 jobs

Offshore oil and gas leasing in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and on the US Atlantic and Pacific coasts could create more than 838,000 American jobs and raise more than $200 billion in revenue for the government, according torecent studies released jointly by the National Ocean Industries Association and the American Petroleum Institute.

“The US oil and gas industry is already a major source of jobs, economic activity, revenue to state and federal governments, and affordable and reliable American energy for American consumers,” NOIA Pres. Randall B. Luthi told reporters during a Nov. 19 teleconference. “We can do much more of the same with more access to the OCS.”

“Polling shows that 70% of voters in this year’s midterm elections support offshore drilling, and 57% do not think the federal government does enough to encourage domestic oil and gas production,” said API Upstream Group Director Erik Milito, who also participated. “The next offshore leasing program is an opportunity for the Obama administration to let those voters know their voices are being heard.”

Full Story at Oil & Gas Journal