WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A survey of third quarter oil and natural gas drilling in the United States found a modest increase from the same period last year, the API said.
The American Petroleum Institute in its quarterly well completion report estimates more than 10,500 wells were drilled in the third quarter or 2011. This is a 6 percent increase from the same period last year.
Kyle Isakower, API vice president of regulatory affairs, said the right polices could boost the domestic energy sector further.
"With policies that allow greater access to the vast energy resources right here at home, we can provide more of the energy our country needs while hiring more American workers and generating more revenue for our government," he said.
Isakower said his findings indicate the oil and gas industry is a "strong job creator and economic engine even while our economy struggles."
The survey comes amid Republican criticism that U.S. President Barack Obama is blocking domestic energy production.
Obama halted oil production in the Gulf of Mexico following last year's Deepwater Horizon explosion and spill. That moratorium has since been lifted.
