Production of fossil fuels from federal and Indian lands fell in 2013

Sales volumes of fossil fuels from production on federal and Indian lands in fiscal year (FY) 2013 dropped 7% from FY 2012, according to EIA's recently released annual report. Crude oil production on federal lands increased slightly in FY 2013, but that increase was more than offset by decreases in coal, natural gas, and natural gas plant liquids (NGPL) production. Sales of fossil fuels from federal and Indian lands accounted for about 26% of total fossil fuel sales volumes in the United States in 2013.

Since FY 2003, sales of fossil fuels produced on federal and Indian lands have fallen 21%, driven by declines in natural gas production and coal production. From FY 2003 to FY 2013, total U.S. fossil fuel production increased by 14%, with a 34% increase in production from nonfederal, non-Indian lands offsetting the decline from federal and Indian lands.

One of the main drivers in the decline in sales of fossil fuels from federal and Indian lands is the drop in offshore natural gas production, even as total U.S. natural gas production has grown rapidly because of rising production from onshore shale resources on private lands. Federal onshore natural gas sales volumes have generally increased over FY 2003-13, overtaking federal offshore production in FY 2007.

Principal contributor: Robert Schmitt