Ping to the Free Republic strategists. More info for analysis.
The offshore Louisianna fields are big and will help. Keep in mind that next door to those LA fields, drilling has been held up by some corrupt Mississippi state officials. Further over offshore Alabama, some drilling has been successful...but disputes between Alabama and major drillers over royalties has likewise caused new drilling there to be slower than expected.
Offshore Florida is still off limits...although one of the world's largest natural gas fields *may* be drilled by Florida itself if one bill passes the Assembly there (the gas revenues would be so large as to eliminate the state's need for property taxes).
So there is still a lot of recoverable oil and gas to be had...to help offset the declines in production elsewhere.
We can also switch over large parts of our economy to our reserve fuel, coal oil, should an oil shortage become too acute. We have no shortage of coal.
What's in the Empty Quarter of Saudi Arabia? How about the other side of Iraq?
Questions....Questions...
Deep Gulf reserves? Who'd a thunk it?
You don't know what's under the ground for sure until you drill.