Washington, D.C., by Robert Dillon.  U.S. Sen. Lisa Senator Lisa Murkowski, National Security Strategy, oil and gas, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Photo by Dave Harbour

BP announces significant Gulf of Mexico oil find
BP has found a major oil discovery at its Gila prospect in the Gulf of Mexico, which it co-owns with ConocoPhillips, BP said on Wednesday. "The Gila discovery is a further sign that momentum is returning to BP's drilling operations and well execution in the Gulf of Mexico," said BP Regional President Richard Morrison. 

TransCanada is now looking at using railroads to transport Canadian oil sands to Nebraska as regulatory hurdles continue to delay the approval of the Keystone XL proposal. "If we need to bridge with rail, we will bridge. I don't think we would ever stop pressing the pipeline option, but there is a point in time at which we would consider a rail option," said TransCanada CEO Russ Girling. "By forcing oil companies to look at these alternatives, doing it by rail, we are actually increasing GHG emissions." Financial Post (Canada)

Murkowski (NGP Photo) yesterday sent a letter to the White House urging President Obama to highlight the geopolitical benefits of oil and natural gas production in the forthcoming National Security Strategy. The administration has indicated the document, which sets the president’s priorities and strategic vision, will be released in January.

“Geopolitical implications of the energy revolution pose tremendous opportunities for our nation to enhance its national security,” Murkowski said. “Increased production coming out of the Bakken and Eagle Ford tight oil plays served to mute the impact of supply disruptions in Iran, Libya, and elsewhere. Dramatic increases in natural gas production in the Marcellus and other regions are providing greater flexibility to American allies in Europe.”

Sen. Murkowski noted that the previous National Security Strategy, which was published in May 2010, did not address the unconventional fossil fuel boom, preferring clean energy technology instead. The Energy Information Administration projects that fossil fuels – natural gas, petroleum, and coal – will account for 80 percent of the nation’s total energy production in 2025.

Past and current members of the Obama administration have referenced the positive impact of the oil and gas revolution in various venues, including in testimony to Congress.

Murkowski’s full letter can be found on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee website.