The Outer Continental Shelf is estimated to contain more than 50 percent of the nation's remaining undiscovered natural gas and oil resources. Natural gas and oil, along with other ingredients, are used to make plastic, paint, fertilizer for crops, antifreeze for cars, paper, building materials, fabrics and many other products. Most of the Outer Continental Shelf revenues go into the federal treasury, where they help pay for federal programs and reduce the deficit. Outer Continental Shelf natural gas production in 1996 was enough to meet the needs of all residential natural gas users in the United States. There is a 97 percent chance that whenever you drive your car, fly in an airplane, ride a train or take a boat, you are using an oil-based fuel.
Oil is the fuel that keeps our nation on the move.
If you vacation in Yellowstone, canoe in the Everglades, hike in the Santa Monica mountains, or visit the Statue of Liberty, you will reap some of the benefits of Outer Continental Shelf natural gas and oil resources. Every year money from these resources helps fund park lands, community recreation areas, and historic sites. Outer Continental Shelf sand and gravel resources are made available for federal, state and local public works projects, such as beach restoration and wetlands protection. The Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service is responsible for assessment and prudent environmental management of ocean resources, and collection and distribution of revenues derived from those resources. MMS oversees the leasing of resources for exploration and development activities, and monitors them for safe, environmentally sound operations.