chapter U 



OFF SHORE ENERGY-RELATED ACTIVITIES 



The Oil Embargo of late 1973 and early 1974 and the ensuing 

 increases in the costs of imported oil gave a dramatic boost to public 

 interest in offshore energy-related activities. Among these ac- 

 tivities, the greatest attention has been focused on OCS oil and gas 

 resources. The development of these resources offers the best 

 prospects for reducing U.S. dependence on foreign petroleum 

 imports in the foreseeable future. With the high priority for 

 accelerating development, every attempt is being made to minimize 

 threats to the marine environment resulting from development 

 operations. Although not so well publicized, several other efforts are 

 also underway to augment our energy supplies. 



Superport legislation has been enacted that aims at lowering 

 petroleum import costs and preventing damage to the ocean 

 environment from port operations. An intensified effort is being 

 made to harness the dynamic and thermal processes of the oceans to 

 provide energy. Yet another part of the accelerating Federal program 

 devoted to OCS energy-related activities consists of environmental 

 assessments to establish the information base needed in selecting 

 sites for offshore power facilities. 



Accelerated Leasing of the Outer Continental Shelf 



The need to explore and develop OCS petroleum resources in 

 support of the Nation's growing economy became increasingly 

 evident during the late 1960's. In a 1971 energy message to Congress, 

 the President noted a need to accelerate OCS oil and gas leasing. He 

 subsequently directed to the Secretary of the Interior to initiate steps 

 to triple annual OCS lease offerings by 1979, from about 1 million 

 acres at the time to 3 million each year. With the advent of the 

 embargo, the President called for still further acceleration of the 

 lease offerings as part of a program to attain greater energy self- 



