The Gulf of Mexico (GOM) for decades was the breadbasket for U.S. natural gas and oil production, but the Lower 48 took over as unconventional drilling uncorked massive reserves. As onshore activity has waned, however, the deepwater is once again beckoning.

Enverus Intelligence Research (EIR) director Andy McConn recently shared the firm’s outlook about the potential in the GOM during an oversight hearing before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

“It is well known that growth momentum has shifted in previous decades from the offshore region to onshore, namely to shale resources,” he said. “But we forecast U.S. onshore oil growth to moderate significantly by the end of the decade. 

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