The American Petroleum Institute (API), joined by state energy industry groups, warned of negative consequences if a natural gas and oil development ban was imposed on public lands and waters.

The analysis, prepared for API by OnLocation using software that also is used by the U.S. Energy Information Administration for its Annual Energy Outlook, indicated severe impacts if a drilling ban were to be imposed on public lands.

“A ban on federal leasing and offshore development would have devastating consequences for America’s largest energy corridor, with local communities along the Gulf Coast projected to lose thousands of jobs and millions in state revenue,” API CEO Mike Sommers said. “This would be a backwards approach to U.S. energy policy, not only hurting the Gulf...