Energy: U.S. crude output on the rise

chron.com ^ | Sept. 2, 2009 | Brett Clanton

[smokingfrog]

U.S. crude oil production is expected to rise this year for the first time in nearly two decades, buoyed mostly by new offshore projects in the Gulf of Mexico but also getting a boost from a so-far quiet Atlantic hurricane season.

Last year, hurricanes Ike and Gustav forced oil and gas companies to shut down wells and evacuate workers from offshore facilities, resulting in 63 million barrels of lost oil production. This year, the government predicts only 3.4 million barrels of outages due to Gulf storms, although hurricane season is still far from over.

U.S. oil output is benefiting from the addition of major deep-water fields, including BP's Thunder Horse, that are helping offset production declines onshore and in shallower Gulf waters. In many cases, these deep-water fields were discovered years ago but are only now coming on line, given the massive costs and technical challenges associated with them.

The combination of favorable factors should lift U.S. crude oil production to an average of 5.22 million barrels per day in 2009, up from 4.95 million barrels per day last year and the first annual increase since 1991, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

And the trend may continue beyond 2009, said Bob Fryklund, oil analyst with IHS-CERA in Houston, noting a queue of deep-water Gulf discoveries that will be coming onstream soon.

“For the next couple of years, oil production looks like it will be on an upward swing, which we haven't seen — it's been a long time,” he said.

The rise in domestic oil production highlights the growing contribution of deep-water fields in the Gulf, which until only recently were considered out of reach.

[smokingfrog]

To give you an idea on how big the Thunderhorse rig is, picture 4 football fields side by side and you have Thunderhorse.

[EGPWS]

Okay, who is going to step up and take credit politically?

Let me guess, the political moocher.

Who is going to go along with the lie?

let me guess, the MSM.

Who is going to sit back and let it happen via a timid mindset?

Let me guess the GOP.

[Recon Dad]

Just imagine what we could pump if we opened things up. I believe we could double our output in 10 years. Shale, sand, Anwar, both coasts.

[blackminorca]

when do we get rid of the tree huggers that are ruining this country - we need to drill drill drill

[Dallas59]

Racism against the planet!!!

[TBall]

Oil is good, but I would like to see more use of natural gas. Lets start converting to NG and cut more and more cords to the ME.

[Deagle]

Yes, probably doubled if they could get rid of the ridiculous environmentalists, the animal rights kooks, and the ACLU. Hell, we may even be energy independent in 20 years if it weren’t for these silly people. Of course that also means getting rid of the leftist kooks in Congress also.

[American Constitutionalist]

Is it a possibility to pay down our national debt if we were to open up more domestic oil, coal, shale production ?

[Recon Dad]

I agree 100%! We’ve got a sh^tpot full of natural gas that we can and should pump!

I want it all, oil, gas, nuke, and whatever else makes sense.

[Recon Dad]

Make me Supreme Leader and your wish will be granted! Every one of them!

[Deagle]

Somehow...that seem so unlikely...ha...

[Deagle]

I might add that I am also a Father of a US Marine (ex now) but would probably trust you much more than our politicians...heh.

[smokingfrog]

There is a glut of NG right now.

[Recon Dad]

He wouldn't like you calling him an ex Marine. God bless him for his service. Mine just reupped for another 4 years. We need more like them.

I love the Marines so much I sent a donation to the Jessie Kelly campaign out in Arizona, he's a former Marine running for congress against a liberal.

[Deagle]

You know - I regretted saying that after I hit Enter...heh. Every Marine he encounters, he does the Hoorah bit so yes, I agree with the saying - Once a Marine, Always a Marine”.

Glad he did not hear me say that...heh. Congratulations to your son - I admire his efforts tremendously and also
congratulations to you for raising such a fine son.

Time for you to run for office - heh?

[Paul R.]

Actually, the U.S.’ 2 biggest outside suppliers of oil are Canada and Mexico, unless that has changed recently. Canada is cranking up their oil sands operations, too.

BP just made another big find in the Gulf of Mexico, as well:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090903/ap_on_re_us/us_gulf_oil_discovery

That said, we are crazy not to be pushing shale oil and nuclear “like crazy”.

[Recon Dad]

Anyone who would vote for me for anything, I wouldn’t trust. The only ambition I have right now is to sell my home in Ohio, move to South Carolina and get my golf game back, it’s been gone for a long time now.

[thackney]

Saudi provides more oil than Mexico.

Mexico’s production has been dropping for a while.