Opponents of oil and natural gas development still raise questions about environmental impact. However, history provides a long record with ample evidence of the industry’s ability to develop resources safely, while protecting the environment on land and offshore.

For example, the industry’s leak prevention capabilities and performance were severely challenged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which battered the Gulf and nearly 3,000 platforms directly in their paths. Some faced winds up to 200-mph and 100-foot seas. While other systems failed, the oil and natural gas industry weathered the storms without incident.

As former U.S. Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton noted:

"There is good news regarding offshore operations. Katrina and Rita – both reaching Category 5 strength as they spun through the Gulf and the heart of the offshore energy production caused no loss of life among offshore industry personnel or significant spills from any offshore wells on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This bears repeating: We faced down two of the most devastating hurricanes ever to hit the Gulf of Mexico without one significant spill from any offshore well on the Outer Continental Shelf."