1.2 PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS OF OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENT 



National trends in energy demands and petroleum supply have led to 

 a renewed interest in the offshore for development of oil and gas. In 

 this section, we discuss the features of the continental shelf and the 

 geologic potential of offshore areas in general and proposed lease areas 

 specifically. Resource estimates have been made for each of these 

 areas, and programs designed for their development. The section concludes 

 with a detailed discussion of the BLM leasing program currently underway. 



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