Today, the main advantages of moving offshore are privacy and freedom from U.S. securities laws. If you re really looking for offshore exposure, your best bet is probably a good, tax-efficient international equity fund. There are three main types of oil and gas programs. Exploratory programs search for new resources in unproven areas. They offer the highest risk, but also the highest potential reward.
Development programs drill in areas with proven deposits.
They offer less risk than exploratory programs, but also less potential return. Income programs generally purchase existing reserves for steady, tax-advantaged income. Finally, combination programs offer some combination of these risks and rewards. These are deductible as current expenses even if there's no income against which to deduct them. The deduction is limited to your amount at-risk in the program.