US oil firms seek drilling access, but exports soar

[Hamlette]

While the U.S. oil industry wants access to more federal lands to help reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, American-based companies are shipping record amounts of gasoline and diesel fuel to other countries.

A record 1.6 million barrels a day in U.S. refined petroleum products were exported during the first four months of this year, up 33 percent from 1.2 million barrels a day over the same period in 2007. Shipments this February topped 1.8 million barrels a day for the first time during any month, according to final numbers from the Energy Department.

The surge in exports appears to contradict the pleas from the U.S. oil industry and the Bush administration for Congress to open more offshore waters and Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling.


http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN0325640920080703

This article is from July 3 of this year but needs some attention in light of the GOP onslaught in Congress today, asking for more domestic production. Why? So we can export it and oil companies can make more billions?

[polichick]

1. It's a grab for more leases while Americans are vulnerable...

There are 68 million acres of leases not being used ~ there is no reason in the world for Obama to fold on offshore drilling.

[KittyWampus]

4. yes there is. It's just too easy to get pummeled on the issue. Better to say you'll compromise

now and then LATER only agree to more new leases with certain conditions, such as:

Oil may only be extracted after pre-existing spots are used and run dry
Oil extracted only goes into US markets

[liberal N proud]

2. Sold to the highest bidder

[zbdent]

3. Nationalize ...