Many critical issues face the future development of oil and gas development in the OCS, particularly if the full potential of the OCS is to ever be realized, many of which are mentioned below.
Natural gas is touted as the fuel of the future.
Current demand for natural gas is 22 trillion cubic feet per year. The National Petroleum Council projection for 2010, just ten years away is for a demand of 30 trillion cubic feet. Natural gas is a wonderful fuel, feedstock, and energy source, but it has to be produced from somewhere. The OCS is looked to as a key component of the supply source, but action is needed if the OCS is to supply its proportionate share of this future supply. Something has to be done to reverse the current decline rate.