Oil and Gas Management: Key Elements to Consider for Providing Assurance of Effective Independent Oversight


Book Description

The catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has drawn national attention to the exploration and production of oil and gas from leases on federal lands and waters. Several bureaus of the Dept. of the Interior oversee onshore and offshore oil and gas activities, and collects revenues from oil and gas produced. In response to the recent oil spill, the Sec. of the Interior has proposed reorg. several bureaus. This testimony explains how the auditor¿s recommend. can provide guidance on how to achieve effective oversight of federal oil and gas management by improving: (1) technical expertise in the agency; (2) performance of analyses and reviews; (3) enforcement of laws and reg¿s.; (4) public access to info.; and (5) the degree of independence in the agency. Illus.




Oil and Gas Management: Past Work Offers Insights to Consider in Restructuring Interior's Oversight


Book Description

The catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has drawn attention to the exploration and production of oil and gas from leases on federal lands and waters. The Dept. of the Interior oversees oil and gas activities on federal lands and waters. Onshore, the Bureau of Land Mgmt. has oversight responsibilities. Offshore, the newly created Bureau of Ocean Energy Mgmt., Regulation, and Enforcement(BOEMRE), has oversight responsibilities. Prior to BOEMRE, the Minerals Mgmt. Service¿s Offshore Energy and Minerals Mgmt. oversaw offshore oil and gas activities. This testimony presents the auditor¿s findings in accordance with Interior¿s organizational structure prior to establishing BOEMRE. Charts and tables.







Oil and Gas Resources


Book Description

This section describes (1) the federal oil and gas fiscal system, (2) leasing processes, and (3) the history of oil and gas management challenges. Created by Congress in 1849, Interior oversees the nation's publicly owned natural resources including parks, wildlife habitat, and crude oil and natural gas resources on millions of acres onshore and offshore in the waters of the outer continental shelf. With regard to oil and gas in particular, Interior leases federal lands and waters (also referred to as submerged lands), issues permits for oil and gas drilling, and is responsible for ensuring that the federal government receives payment from the private companies that extract oil and gas from federal leases.




GAO Documents


Book Description

Catalog of reports, decisions and opinions, testimonies and speeches.