Energy Tomorrow RSS Feeds: Oil & Gas 101

Energy IQ Survey - 11/20/2009 10:38:12 AM

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:38:12 -0600


Test Your Energy IQ

The third annual Energy IQ survey, conducted for the American Petroleum Institute (API) by Harris Interactive®, comes as a new administration and Congress are pursuing energy and climate policies that will determine America’s economic competitiveness for years to come.

In comparing the new results to surveys from previous years, Harris found that Americans are more aware of how current policies limit domestic oil and natural gas production, but they also continue to subscribe to common, yet critical, misperceptions about how the industry operates and the energy we’ll need in the future.

Demand: Americans understand that we need more energy to grow our economy, but they continue to underestimate the amount of oil and natural gas we’ll need in years to come.

While the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects U.S. energy demand will increase 9 percent during the next 20 years, only 5 percent of respondents chose the correct answer. The majority overestimated this number, believing that U.S. demand would increase 16 to 21 percent.
When asked about the role fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal will play in meeting global energy demand, only 10 percent of respondents answered correctly that fossil fuels will meet 85 percent of this demand. This is the second consecutive year this number has dropped even though EIA figures for future U.S. reliance on fossil fuels have risen by five percent since 2008.

Supply: Americans overestimate the amount of oil and natural gas supplied to the U.S. by the Persian Gulf countries and underestimate the amount that is supplied from North America.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), 12 percent of the oil consumed last year in the U.S. came from the Persian Gulf countries. Only 7 percent of respondents chose correctly, while more than 40 percent believed that over 30 percent of our oil supply came from the Persian Gulf.
Fifty-three percent of respondents believed that Saudi Arabia was the largest U.S. supplier of imported crude oil. In fact, according to the DOE, Canada is our largest supplier.

Taxes: Americans underestimate the industry’s contributions to the U.S. economy through jobs and taxes, and overestimate the industry’s profits.

Only 15 percent of respondents knew that six million Americans are employed directly or indirectly by the oil and natural gas industry.
Only 9 percent of respondents knew that oil companies pay more than 40 percent in income taxes as a share of their income. The majority thought that it was less than 30 percent, and one-third of all respondents believed companies pay less than 15 percent.
Similarly, when asked how much the oil and natural gas industry paid in taxes over the past three years, only 10 percent of respondents answered correctly—$242 billion. One quarter of respondents believed that the U.S. oil and natural gas industry contributed less than $100 billion.
More than 40 percent of respondents believed that the oil and natural gas industry earn more than 20 cents per every dollar of sales. In fact, the industry earns just below 6 cents on every dollar.

The survey also found that other misconceptions exist about U.S. oil company stock ownership and industry investment in alternative fuels. For more information, read the full Energy IQ survey and test your energy knowledge.

Petroleum Products - 11/20/2009 10:37:10 AM

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:37:10 -0600

For more than 100 years, consumers have relied upon oil and natural gas to enhance their quality of life. The cars we drive, the food we eat, the medicines we need – each product is touched in some way by America’s oil and natural gas industry. When we heat our homes, fills our gas tanks or reach for an aspirin, it’s the oil and natural gas industry that helps make it happen.

Currently, oil and natural gas fuel more than 97 percent of our nation’s vehicles, whether on land, sea, or in the air. Oil and natural gas are also key components in the vast majority of all manufactured goods. Whether it’s surgical equipment, fertilizers, phones, CDs, paints or fuels, the oil and natural gas industry supports our day-to-day safety, mobility, health and lifestyle.

Workplace, Agriculture and Commerce

In the workplace, in agriculture and in commerce, oil and natural gas keep us competitive and help create and protect American jobs. Petrochemical products are widely used in manufacturing for:

Computers
Fertilizers
Adhesives
Feedstocks
Heating and Cooling
Tools

Health and Safety

Our health and safety depend on products whose key components originate from petroleum:

Artificial hearts and pacemakers
Aspirin
Soft contact lenses
Bandages
Emergency and Surgical equipment
Antihistamines

Household Products

Oil and natural gas are processed to provide advanced fuels and the essential ingredients that make our homes comfortable, safe and enjoyable inside and out:

Plastics
Appliances
Hot Water
Roofing
Cleaning Supplies
Phones
Clothing

Outdoor, Indoor and Family Recreation

When America plays, the oil and natural gas industry gets them where they want to go and helps create the "toys" we enjoy for outdoor, indoor and family recreation, including:

Gas grills
Basketballs, Footballs and Sports Equipment
Life jackets
CDs and portable music players
Boats and Personal watercraft
Goggles and Sunglasses
Skis
Surfboards

Transportation

A key component of our quality of life is personal mobility—the freedom to travel where we want, when we want, and the availability of safe and reliable transportation. The oil and natural gas industry powers most of our vehicles including:

Cars, Trucks and Buses
Emergency Vehicles and Fire Trucks
Trains
Planes
Boats

Call 811 - 11/20/2009 10:20:07 AM

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:20:07 -0600

Homeowners often make risky assumptions about whether or not they should get their utility lines marked, but every digging job requires a call to 811 – even small projects like planting trees and shrubs. The depth of natural gas and other utility lines varies and there may be multiple utility lines in a common area. Digging without calling can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm you and those around you, and potentially result in fines and repair costs. Calling 811 before every digging job gets your underground utility lines marked for free and helps prevent undesired consequences.

For more information about the program, visit www.call811.org

About Natural Gas - 11/20/2009 10:13:00 AM

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:13:00 -0600

Natural gas, including unconventional shale gas resources, is vital to our nation’s energy future—fueling our economy, delivering heat and power to over 60 million U.S. homes, and providing our nation with a clean burning, domestic energy source.

It is essential to America's manufacturers, not only to power their operations, but also as a feedstock for many of the daily products we use—clothing, carpets, sports equipment, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, computers, and auto parts. It is also a primary feedstock for chemicals, plastics and fertilizers.

Over the past few years, the combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have unlocked the promise of natural gas in tight rock formations—sandstone in the intermountain West and shale throughout the central and eastern U.S.—and have led to a natural gas boom in several areas of the country.

Improvements in technology and application of science have contributed to an 8 percent increase in U.S. natural gas production between 2007 and 2008, through development of tight shales and sandstones which, not all that long ago, were considered impractical or uneconomical to pursue.

Among the first targets was the Barnett shale deposit in northern Texas. As a result of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, the Barnett Shale now produces over 7 percent of America’s natural gas, enough to power 20 million homes per year. Operators are able to drill underneath Fort Worth from miles outside the city limits with directional drilling.

Success in the Barnett after years of drilling led to the application of lessons in technology and science that shortened the learning curve for development of emerging plays like the Fayetteville Shale in Arkansas, the Haynesville Shale in Louisiana and the Marcellus Shale in the northeastern United States. A recent EIA report noted that U.S. proven natural gas reserves rose 3 percent in 2008, and shale gas reserves rose an astonishing 51 percent over 2007.

New resources have helped to increase natural gas supplies and improve U.S. energy security. They have also encouraged discussions about America's abundant natural gas as a clean, bridge fuel to the nation's energy future.

Natural gas has many uses:

Meets 24 percent of U.S. energy requirements.
Heats 51 percent of U.S. households.
Cools homes and provides fuel for cooking.
Provides the energy source or raw material to make a wide range of products, such as plastics, steel, glass, synthetic fabrics, fertilizer, aspirin, automobiles and processed food.

Natural gas demand is growing:

Americans used 23.2 trillion cubic feet of it in 2008.
Natural gas supplies about 64.9 million residential customers and 5.5 million commercial and industrial customers in 2007.
It powers nearly 120,000 vehicles operating on American roads.

Supply:

At the end of 2008, U.S. natural gas reserves stood at 244.7 trillion cubic feet—the highest level in over 30 years.
The United States produced 20.6 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas in 2008—about 88 percent of U.S. consumption.
Most natural gas used in the United States comes from North America.

Safety at the Pump - 11/20/2009 10:11:38 AM

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:11:38 -0600

Gasoline pumps and stations are designed to allow people to safely pump their gas.

Consumers can take steps to minimize static electricity-related incidents and other potential fueling hazards by following these safety guidelines:

Turn off your vehicle engine. Put your vehicle in park and/or set the emergency brake. Disable or turn off any auxiliary sources of ignition such as a camper or trailer heater, cooking units, or pilot lights.
Do not smoke, light matches or lighters while refueling at the pump or when using gasoline anywhere else.
Use only the refueling latch provided on the gasoline dispenser nozzle. Never jam the refueling latch on the nozzle open.
Do not re-enter your vehicle during refueling. If you cannot avoid re-entering your vehicle, discharge any static build-up BEFORE reaching for the nozzle by touching something metal with a bare hand -- such as the vehicle door -- away from the nozzle.)
In the unlikely event a static-caused fire occurs when refueling, leave the nozzle in the fill pipe and back away from the vehicle. Notify the station attendant immediately.

Portable Containers

When dispensing gasoline into a container, use only an approved portable container and place it on the ground to avoid a possible static electricity ignition of fuel vapors. Containers should never be filled while inside a vehicle or its trunk, the bed of a pickup truck or the floor of a trailer.
When filling a portable container, manually control the nozzle valve throughout the filling process. Fill a portable container slowly to decrease the chance of static electricity buildup and minimize spilling or splattering. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the container opening while refueling.
Fill the container no more than 95 percent full to allow for expansion.
Place cap tightly on the container after filling - do not use containers that do not seal properly.
Only store gasoline in approved containers as required by federal or state authorities. Never store gasoline in glass or any other unapproved container.
If gasoline spills on the container, make sure that it has evaporated before you place the container in your vehicle. Report spills to the attendant.
When transporting gasoline in a portable container make sure it is secured against tipping and sliding, and never leave it in direct sunlight or in the trunk of a car.

Additional Safety Guidelines

Do not over-fill or top-off your vehicle tank, which can cause gasoline spillage.
Never allow children under licensed driving age to operate the pump.
Avoid prolonged breathing of gasoline vapors. Use gasoline only in open areas that get plenty of fresh air. Keep your face away from the nozzle or container opening.
Never siphon gasoline by mouth nor put gasoline in your mouth for any reason. Gasoline can be harmful or fatal if swallowed. If someone swallows gasoline, do not induce vomiting. Contact a doctor or and emergency medical service provider immediately.
Keep gasoline away from your eyes and skin; it may cause irritation. Remove gasoline-soaked clothing immediately.
Use gasoline as a motor fuel only. Never use gasoline to wash your hands or as a cleaning solvent.

Home Energy Tips - 11/20/2009 10:10:53 AM

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:10:53 -0600

Here are a few steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient -- thereby reducing your heating and cooling bills, and conserving resources at the same time.

Doors and windows

Check for leaks and drafts.
Add weather stripping as needed.Install curtains on your windows.

Insulation

Check to ensure that your home is properly insulated.
If your home already has some insulation, consider increasing the amount of insulation in the attic and adding insulation to floors over a basement or crawlspace.

Furnaces and water heaters

Replace inefficient furnaces and water heaters with new high-efficiency models.
If buying a new furnace, do not get one larger than you need.
Wrap the water heater in an insulating jacket.
Clean filters on forced-air furnaces.

Other tips

Install low-flow showerheads.
Install a thermostat that will automatically lower nighttime temperatures.
Use ceiling fans to circulate air in the house, keeping the air mixed.
Seal flues in unused fireplaces.
Visit the Department of Energy's website at www.homeenergysaver.lbl.gov, and conduct an “energy audit” of your home to evaluate your heating system's efficiency.

Fuel Saving Tips - 11/20/2009 10:10:26 AM

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:10:26 -0600

These simple facts can help you save fuel and get more miles out of each tank of gas:

Have your car tuned regularly. An engine tune-up can improve car fuel economy by an average of 1 mile per gallon.
Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires can decrease fuel economy by up to 1 mile per gallon.
Slow down. The faster you drive, the more gasoline your car uses. Driving at 65 miles per hour rather than 55 miles per hour reduces fuel economy by about 2 miles per gallon.
Avoid jackrabbit starts. Abrupt starts require about twice as much gasoline as gradual starts.
Pace your driving. Unnecessary speedups, slowdowns and stops can decrease fuel economy by up to 2 miles per gallon. Stay alert and drive steadily, not erratically. Keep a reasonable, safe distance from the car ahead of you and anticipate traffic conditions.
Use your air conditioner only when needed. The use of air conditioning can reduce fuel economy by as much as 2 miles per gallon.
Avoid lengthy engine idling. Turn your engine off when you are delayed for more than a couple of minutes.
Plan your trips in advance. Combine short trips into one to do all your errands. Avoid traveling during rush hour if possible in order to avoid driving conditions that increase fuel consumption, such as idling periods or repeated starting and stopping. Also consider joining a carpool.

Tips for Living - 11/20/2009 10:09:49 AM

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:09:49 -0600

Whether it’s inflating your tires, installing a low-flow showerhead or insulating your attic, there are a number of steps you can take to improve your energy efficiency, conserve energy – and save money.

Learn more by navigating our tips for home and auto.

Oil and Natural Gas 101 - 11/20/2009 10:08:58 AM

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:08:58 -0600

From the ground to the pump… or the playing field… or the medicine cabinet... each and every day Americans rely on the products created by oil and natural gas. And behind this vital product is an important story that needs to be told. Whether it’s:

Learning the value of oil and natural gas in fueling our way of life,
Recognizing that energy efficiency has its benefits,
But a rapidly growing world still needs greater supply; or
Developing a better understanding of how company performance contributes to the average American’s retirement portfolio;

We should all know the intangibles of this irreplaceable product.

In just one 24-hour period, the oil and natural gas industry delivers:

Enough energy to heat 80 million homes
382 million gallons of gasoline to service stations, enabling 200 million drivers to get to work, take their kids to school, and take vacations-- traveling 7.5 billion road miles every day
67 million gallons to airport terminals, enabling 30,000 flights to travel around the world

Every day, the industry supports 9.2 million people directly and indirectly and contributes more than $1 trillion to the national economy, or 7.5 percent GDP.

Energy Rhetoric vs Reality - 10/28/2009 1:43:58 PM

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:43:58 -0500

Policymakers are talking a lot about energy and energy policy. What follows are some of the current claims and proposals, along with realities that need to be considered when evaluating these claims.

RHETORIC: Taxes need to be raised to help address the growing federal deficit and stimulate job creation.

REALITY: Raising taxes as the economy is trying to recover from a deep recession is a recipe for disaster. President Hoover did it in the 1930s, President Carter did it in the 1970s and President Obama wants to do it now. It did not work then, and it will not work today. Tax hikes kill existing jobs and can depress future job creation. According to a preliminary estimate based on Center for American Progress data, thousands of oil and natural gas jobs would be destroyed by the Administration’s new taxes and fees.

RHETORIC: Taxes targeting the oil and natural gas industry are okay because they don't affect consumers or other industries.

REALITY: The Administration’s tax plan puts the economic burden on hardworking Americans and their families. New taxes hurt businesses, threaten jobs and lead to higher prices for consumers. Higher taxes are a burden felt throughout the economy and discourage business expansion, investment and job creation. They could result in less, not more, job security for American workers and threaten other benefits.

RHETORIC: Most Americans want the federal government to pursue alternative and renewable sources of energy instead of drilling for oil and natural gas.

REALITY: A 2009 poll found that 61 percent of Americans who voted in the 2008 presidential election support increased access to offshore oil and natural gas resources. The Administration is not listening to the majority of Americans who want a stronger economy using our own vast oil and natural gas resources. While other countries are providing incentives to develop their own energy resources, the U.S. is the only country actively discouraging it. Higher taxes would also rob the industry of additional capital needed to invest in alternative and renewable fuels.

RHETORIC: The Administration says it wants to make America less dependent on foreign oil.

REALITY: Historically, higher taxes have resulted in less domestic energy – and restrained supplies often lead to higher energy costs for consumers. In today’s economy, that could stifle a recovery and make Americans more dependent on foreign oil and natural gas. New taxes will make it more expensive for oil and natural gas companies to expand or initiate new exploration and development programs, putting our nation further behind in the race for more energy.

RHETORIC: The administration says it wants to create millions of new jobs in the energy sector.

REALITY: Saddling the industry with additional taxes would likely drive jobs overseas at a time when America needs to create jobs. The U.S. oil and natural gas industry is one of the success stories of the American economy, directly and indirectly supporting 9.2 million workers in good jobs that often pay well above the national average. It is not an economic recovery when the jobs of millions of industry workers in this country are placed in jeopardy.

RHETORIC: The administration says that current tax policies provide taxpayer subsidies to the oil and natural gas industry

REALITY: The assertion by the Obama Administration that tax provisions intended to help companies recover their costs have resulted in overproduction is ludicrous. America needs all the energy it can get and would be hurt by higher taxes that would constrict supplies, result in higher costs and kill jobs. Such wrong-headed policy prescriptions suggest that Americans must make an unwise and unnecessary choice between green energy and traditional oil and natural gas. Americans will need all energy sources in the future and such false choices would only hurt workers, businesses and the economy.

RHETORIC: Oil and natural gas industry executives control the bulk of stocks in their respective companies and would be the only ones directly affected by higher taxes.

REALITY: Imposing new taxes on oil and natural gas companies undermines the retirement security of working people. Almost 43 percent of oil and natural gas company shares are owned by mutual funds and asset management companies. Those funds are a major retirement savings and investment tool for millions of middle-class Americans have seen their retirement savings shrink. Billions of dollars in new taxes on U.S. oil and natural gas companies will only hurt those retirement-aged investors looking for financial stability.

Survey Questions - 7/7/2009 12:08:58 PM

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:08:58 -0500

1. How much more energy is the United States going to need in the next 20 years?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
1%	0 to 5%
5%	6% to 10%
11%	11% to 15%
50%	16% to 21%
33%	Not Sure

Source: Energy Information Administration, AEO 2009 Table A1.
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2. According to 2008 government projections, about what percent of global energy demand in 2030 will be met by fossil fuels, such as oil, natural gas and coal?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
16%	25%
18%	45%
17%	65%
10%	85%
38%	Not Sure

Source: Energy Information Administration, International Energy Outlook 2008
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3. Assuming huge increases in alternative energy sources, what percentage of the U.S. energy demand will be met by oil and natural gas in 2030?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
6%	0 to 15%
22%	16% to 30%
19%	31% to 45%
16%	45% to 60%
37%	Not Sure

Source: Energy Information Administration, AEO 2009 Table A1.
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4. In 2008, which of the following countries was the largest U.S. supplier of imported oil?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
53%	Saudi Arabia
12%	Canada
13%	Venezuela
2%	China
20%	Not Sure

Source: Department of Energy Petroleum Monthly, February 2009.
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5. In 2008, what percent of oil the United States consumed came from the Persian Gulf countries?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
7%	Less than 15%
20%	15% to 30%
19%	31% to 45%
26%	46% to 60%
28%	Not Sure

Source: Department of Energy Petroleum Monthly, February 2009.
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6. In 2008, what percent of oil and natural gas the United States consumed was produced in North America?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
42%	Less than 35%
15%	35% to 50%
9%	51% to 65%
5%	66% to 80%
29%	Not Sure

Source: Department of Energy, Petroleum Supply Monthly and Natural Gas Monthly, March 2009.
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7. What percentage of oil imports could be displaced if oil and natural gas companies were allowed to produce resources off the U.S. coasts?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
11%	Less than 10%
11%	10% to 15%
17%	16% to 20%
23%	21% to 30%
37%	Not Sure

Source: Department of Energy, Petroleum Supply Monthly, February 2009. ICF International study.
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8. How much do oil companies pay in income taxes as a share of their income?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
31%	Less than 15%
17%	15% to 30%
9%	31% to 45%
4%	46% to 65%
38%	Not Sure

Source: Energy Information Administration, 2007 Performance Profiles of Major Energy Producers, December 2008.
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9. How much did the oil and natural gas industry pay in taxes over the past 3 years?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
25%	Less than $100 billion
11%	$100 to less than $200 billion
10%	$200 to less than $300 billion
11%	$300 billion or more
43%	Not Sure

Source: Energy Information Administration, 2007 Performance Profiles of Major Energy Producers, December 2008.
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10. How much did federal, state and local governments receive in 2008 from the oil and natural gas industry from revenues and bonus bids to lease offshore areas for energy exploration?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
14%	Less than $10 billion
12%	$10 to less than $20 billion
13%	$20 to less than $30 billion
13%	$30 to less than $40 billion
49%	Not Sure

Source: United States Department of the Interior, http://mms.gov/ooc/press/2008/pressDOI1120.htm.
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11. In 2008, how many cents did the U.S. oil and natural gas industry earn on every dollar of sales?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
12%	0 to 10 cents
12%	11 to 20 cents
17%	21 to 30 cents
24%	31 to 40 cents
35%	Not Sure

Source: Oil Daily, March 5, 2008.
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12. In 2008, the price of crude oil accounted for what percentage of gasoline prices at the pump?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
11%	0 to 20%
21%	21% to 40%
23%	41% to 60%
15%	61% to 80%
31%	Not Sure

Source: Energy Information Administration. http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/gdu/gaspump.html, January-December 2008.
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13. In 2008, federal, state and local taxes accounted for what percentage of gasoline prices at the pump?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
5%	0 to 5%
16%	6% to 10%
17%	11% to 15%
34%	16% to 20%
27%	Not Sure

Source: Energy Information Administration. http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/gdu/gaspump.html, January-December 2008.
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14. How many people in the United States are indirectly and directly employed by the oil and natural gas industry?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
14%	Less than 1 million people
26%	1 million to less than 5 million people
15%	5 million to 8 million people
8%	More than 8 million people
37%	Not Sure

Source: BLS census of employment.
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15. What percentage of U.S. oil companies’ stocks are owned by pension plans and retirement accounts?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
11%	0 to 15%
17%	16% to 30%
17%	31% to 45%
9%	46% to 60%
46%	Not Sure

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
5%	0 to 5%
13%	6% to 15%
14%	16% to 25%
27%	More than 25%
41%	Not Sure

Source: SONECON Report: The Distribution of Ownership of U.S. Oil and Gas Companies, September 2007.
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17. From 2000 to 2007, U.S. oil and natural gas companies invested how many billions of dollars on emerging energy technologies in North America (such as biomass, wind, solar, alternative fuel vehicles, gas-to-liquids and oil shale)?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
26%	$1 to less than $35 billion
16%	$35 to less than $65 billion
9%	$65 to less than $100 billion
8%	More than $100 billion
40%	Not Sure

Source: T2 and Associates and CEE “Oil and Gas Industry Investments in Alternative Energy, Frontier Hydrocarbons and Advanced End-Use Technologies Update,” October 2008.
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18. Which of the following groups spent the most on zero and low-carbon technologies since 2000?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
11%	Federal government
23%	Oil and natural gas industry
32%	Other private industries
34%	Not sure

Source: T2 and Associates and CEE “Key Investments in Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Technologies by Energy Firms, Other Industry and the Federal Government,” May 2008.
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19. What percent of the world’s proven oil reserves do U.S. oil companies control?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
14%	0 to less than 10%
25%	10% to less than 20%
19%	20% to less than 30%
9%	30% to less than 40%
34%	Not Sure

Source: Oil and Gas Journal, December 22, 2008.
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20. Where does ExxonMobil, the largest U.S. oil and natural gas company, rank in size among the world’s largest holders of oil reserves?

Total N=1298	Answers (correct answers in bold)
28%	Among the top 3 oil reserve holders
28%	Among 4th to 10th oil reserve holders
7%	Among 11th to 15th oil reserve holders
6%	Not among the top 15 largest oil reserve holders
31%	Not Sure

Source: Oil and Gas Journal, December 22, 2008.
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Survey Methodology - 6/29/2009 11:18:26 AM

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:18:26 -0500

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Petroleum Institute between April 30 and May 8, 2009 among 1,298 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for region, age within gender, education, household income and race/ethnicity were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.

With a pure probability sample of 1,298, one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results would have a sampling error of +/- 2.72 percentage points. Sampling error for data based on sub-samples would be higher and may vary. However, that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long and rich history in multimodal research that is powered by our science and technology, we assist clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive serves clients globally through our North American, European and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

Energy IQ Survey Archive - 6/29/2009 8:23:01 AM

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:23:01 -0500

With millions of Americans focused on energy issues and policies, the Energy IQ surveys—conducted for American Petroleum Institute (API) by Harris Interactive®—found that most U.S. adults have a fundamental lack of knowledge about energy issues.

The 2007 inaugural Energy IQ survey demonstrated that Americans misunderstood supply and demand, as well as the role that America's oil and natural gas companies play in the economy. In fact, when presented with 20 multiple choice questions, on average more than 25 percent of respondents said they were "not sure" which answer was correct, and in many cases people chose the response that is farthest from the correct answer.

Read more about the 2007 Energy IQ survey.

The release of the second Energy IQ survey in June 2008 came after a series of national polls found broad public support for increased access to U.S. oil and natural gas resources. In comparing the results to the 2007 survey, Harris Interactive found that respondents showed increased knowledge on key issues such as the competitive advantage foreign government-owned oil companies have over U.S. companies and the restrictions that current policies place on the development of America’s own resources.

Read more about the 2008 Energy IQ survey.

Energizing America - 5/4/2009 8:56:48 AM

Mon, 04 May 2009 08:56:48 -0500

America is in a global struggle for energy security and many of us lack a full understanding of the oil and natural gas industry. API has assembled a primer to encourage a constructive public policy debate on meeting the growing energy needs of consumers and industry.

View the full primer to learn the facts behind energy policy.

Topics include:

Factors Affecting Price
Where the Money is Going
Carbon Mitigation
Refineries and Fuels
U.S. Energy Needs
Untapped Potential of Domestic Resources
The Global Energy Framework
Energy Policy

Holiday Energy Saving Tips - 4/20/2009 11:48:53 AM

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:48:53 -0500

What do the holidays and our national energy policy have in common? According to Wendell Cox, perhaps more than you think.

Energy demand in the United States typically increases during the holiday season. Just think of every holiday celebration you attend—ovens and other kitchen appliances working overtime, not to mention dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers. And that’s just inside the house. The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's are the most heavily traveled of the year—that's a lot of energy use.

The U.S. government predicts that traditional sources of energy—coal, oil and natural gas—will continue to meet the majority of our energy needs well into the future. When the holiday cheer ends and a new Congress and president turn their attention to energy, they must recognize the need for policies that promote all forms of energy and utilize America’s vast resources.

While practicing and conservation are not the whole answer to meeting growing energy demand, it is part of it. Below, please find some holiday energy efficiency tips that will help you make the most of your energy use this holiday season.

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Holiday Travel Tips
(Source: EnergyTomorrow.org Fuel Saving Tips)

Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires can decrease fuel economy by up to one mile per gallon.
Slow down. The faster you drive, the more gasoline your car uses. Driving at 55 miles per hour rather than 65 miles per hour reduces fuel economy by about two miles per gallon.

Avoid jackrabbit starts. Abrupt starts require about twice as much gasoline as gradual starts.
Pace your driving. Unnecessary speedups, slowdowns and stops can decrease fuel economy by up to two miles per gallon. Stay alert and drive steadily, not erratically. Keep a reasonable, safe distance from the car ahead of you and anticipate traffic conditions.

Play the Road Trip game to get more travel tips and learn about fuel efficiency.

Cooking Tips
(Source: California Energy Commission)

Holiday ham and turkey are usually roasted for hours. Since it's a long, slow cook, there is no need to preheat your oven, even when the recipe suggests it. In fact, unless you're baking breads or pastries, you may not need to preheat the oven at all.
Don't open the oven door to sneak a peek at what is cooking inside. Instead, use the oven light to check the cooking status through the oven window. Opening the oven door can lower the oven temperature by as much as 25 degrees, which increases cooking time and wastes energy.

As long as your oven is on, cook several holiday favorites at the same time.
When using your stove, match the size of the pan to the heating element. More heat will get to the pan and less will be lost to the surrounding air. Believe it or not, a six-inch pan on an eight-inch burner will waste over 40 percent of the energy!

How to Save Electricity Used by Holiday Lights
(Source: Alliance to Save Energy)

Turn off your holiday lights before you go to bed, or consider installing timers to reduce the amount of time your holiday lights are on. Just 10 strands lit for 13 hours a day can add more than $50 to a monthly energy bill.

Use energy-efficient LED holiday lights, which use 10 percent of the energy of mini lights.

Tips to Save Energy with Electronics
(Source: Department of Energy)

In the average home, 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. This can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliance.

For new holiday electronics gifts, unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use.