The American economy is heavily based on oil, as if it were the blood of the nation; a necessity for survival. Reacting to American support for Israel, Arab (OPEC) nations in the Middle East limit oil exports to the United States. As a result, a decrease in oil supply caused gasoline prices to quadruple. As America attempted to promote alternative energy sources, oil companies expanded their search for offshore oil. About 25% of the oil produced in the United States comes from offshore facilities. Due to environmental concerns following an oil spill off the coast of California in 1969, a suspension of offshore drilling was instituted. Since then, America has amplified its energy spending to nearly 25% of the world's oil. Meanwhile, the United States produces about 10% of the world's oil, because much of the American coast has been offline for oil drilling since the early 1980s. America must free itself from dependence on foreign oil, and one viable solution to this problem is offshore oil drilling. The first American offshore drilling dates back to 1947, with a well located several miles off the coast of Louisiana. The following years saw an expansion of automobile use in America resulting in an increase in demand for gasoline. On September 10, 1960, at the Baghdad Conference, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was created by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. In order to secure what they believe is a fair price for oil producers; OPEC imposes regulations between member countries. OPEC also credits itself with creating an efficient, economical supply of oil for consuming nations (“Brief History”). This organization sets oil prices daily by limiting crude oil production and... middle of paper... imagines the benefits of offshore drilling, supporters say. Facing criticism that the oil industry has yet to take advantage of long-available areas, advocates say the yet-to-be-discovered oil estimated to be in available areas is too difficult or too expensive to extract. Supporters also insist that they do not consider offshore drilling the only solution to U.S. energy needs. Developing alternatives to oil may be preferable in the long run, they suggest. At the moment, however, there are no other practical and widely available energy sources capable of powering vehicles. This makes it necessary, they argue, at least in the near future, to find safe oil reserves and keep gasoline affordable. Supporters say other countries appear to be doing well without the kind of offshore drilling bans in place in the United States..