Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1613, the Outer Continential Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreements Authorization Act, with a bipartisan vote of 256-171.  This legislation, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-03), would approve and implement the terms of the U.S. - Mexico Transboundary Hydrocarbons Agreement, signed by the Obama Administration in 2012, that governs the development of shared oil and natural gas resources along the U.S. – Mexico maritime border in the Gulf of Mexico. 
                                                                      
The bill would open up nearly 1.5 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico that is estimated to contain as much as 172 million barrels of oil and 304 billion cubic feet of natural gas.  This would expand U.S. energy production, create new American jobs, lower energy prices, and generate tens of millions of dollars in new revenue. 

The bill would also put into place an important and transparent framework for future implementation of similar transboundary hydrocarbon agreements with other nations.

“By passing this Transboundary Agreement, the House has furthered its commitment to create jobs though energy.  This legislation implements a first of its kind agreement with the government of Mexico to develop shared resources located between our two countries in the Gulf.  The legislation also opens roughly 1.5 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico for production, and would help create American jobs and grow our economy in the process,” said Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-03).  “According to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the U.S. State Department, these areas are estimated to contain 172 million barrels of oil and 304 billion cubic feet of natural gas, a considerable amount that will lessen our dependence on Middle Eastern sources of oil.  The agreement also prioritizes safety by requiring that all operations in the region conform to U.S. safety standards, and establishes a framework for possible future arrangements with other neighboring countries like Canada.  Simply put, this legislation is a win-win for our country, and I am proud that it received strong bipartisan support.” 

“These areas in the Gulf of Mexico are ready to be explored and developed and this bill will give U.S. job creators the certainty they need to move forward.  Activity can begin once this agreement is enacted,” said Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings.  “The Natural Resources Committee and Congressman Duncan have worked hard to advance this bill and get it signed into law.  It’s important to American energy, American jobs and American energy security. And it is important to supporting a positive relationship with our neighbor to the south, Mexico.”
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