The Patriot Post® · U.S. Still Dominating Oil and Gas Production

Oil revenue-dependent Arab countries were holding their collective breath during America’s unprecedented shale boom, seeking what small consolation there was in the possibility that an abundant supply of gasoline would drive prices low enough to disrupt fracking. Late in 2013, the United States became the world’s largest combined producer of oil and natural gas – a trend that, surprising to many, continued last year based on statistics from the Energy Information Administration. A new report by EIA says, “U.S. hydrocarbon production continues to exceed that of both Russia and Saudi Arabia, the second- and third-largest producers, respectively.” According to The Daily Caller’s Michael Bastasch, “EIA adds that U.S. petroleum production has increased ‘by more than 11 quadrillion British thermal units’ thanks to drillers in Texas and North Dakota.” On the other hand, overall oil extraction began to be scaled back over the winter, and “[e]nergy analysts predict further cuts to U.S. oil production as relatively low oil prices are predicted to continue throughout the year,” Bastasch explains. “Also, the pending nuclear deal with Iran could mean more oil being put onto international markets, driving prices down even further.” But America’s energy revolution survived what many suspected was an inevitable collapse. And it appears ready to defy skeptics once again. That’s good, because Barack Obama’s lackluster foreign policy ensures it’s currently the best weapon we have. More…