The U.S. Tight Oil Boom: Geopolitical Winner or Long-Term Distraction?

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Aug 22, 2013, 08:12 ET

New ASP Report examines geopolitical effects of the surge in U.S. oil production

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Security Project released a new report analyzing the geopolitical effects of the boom in tight oil production. The major findings are that the recent surge in domestic oil production is already having geopolitical effects that include greater leverage to implement sanctions on Iran and reduced influence of OPEC. However, the report also finds that more oil production does very little for long-term energy security.

Brigadier General Stephen A. Cheney, USMC (Ret.), CEO of the American Security Project, said: "The American Security Project believes that energy security is one of America's greatest long-term national security challenges. America's dependence on oil presents a series of national security risks – price volatility, a distorted foreign policy, and climate change. Rising domestic oil production provides a bit of breathing room to deal with some of these challenges, but over the long-term America needs to develop alternatives."

Andrew Holland, Senior Fellow for Energy and Climate at ASP said: "The tight oil boom in the United States has provided some geopolitical leverage in the short-term. However, ASP believes that in order to really improve U.S. energy security, we need options in the transportation sector. This means developing alternative sources of fuel such as biofuels, natural gas, and electric vehicles. Higher domestic oil production may have some benefits, but diversifying the energy portfolio should remain the country's top priority."

Nick Cunningham, Policy Analyst at ASP and author of the report, said: "This report lays out several of the short-term benefits that the tight oil boom has given the United States – enhanced leverage over Iran and a reduction in price volatility, for example. However, the tight oil boom also brings its own risks. It does very little for long-term energy security, it does very little to reduce gas prices, and above all, it is a distraction to policymakers who must take action on climate change."

Read the full report: The U.S. Tight Oil Boom: Geopolitical Winner or Long-Term Distraction?

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SECURITY PROJECT

The American Security Project is a non-profit, non-partisan public policy and research organization dedicated to fostering knowledge and understanding of a range of national security issues, promoting debate about the appropriate use of American power, and cultivating strategic responses to 21st century challenges.

For more information, visit www.americansecurityproject.org.

SOURCE American Security Project