Still more newly discovered microbes that live in oil or natural gas wells might increase the efficiency of existing drilling and mining.

FORBES: Magazine Article

That drilling continues to rapidly increase in efficiency, both its machinery and manpower, is also a permanent part of the landscape.

FORBES: My Prediction Was Wrong: Why We Didn't Get To $8 Natural Gas

The month after the Phoenix meeting, Mr. Shaw told his staff that efficiency was improving in the drilling and completing of wells.

WSJ: As CEO Hayward Remade BP, Safety, Cost Drives Clashed

About one-third of that order is for high-efficiency electric motors to power new drilling and refining operations.

FORBES: Magazine Article

It promotes efficiency with advanced technology such as horizontal drilling.

FORBES: Which Candidate's Energy Plan is Better for America?

By concentrating on areas where considerable progress is possible (rather than on such neuralgic issues as drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or increased CAFE fuel-efficiency standards), America - and in particular its gas-guzzling transportation sector - could be made significantly less reliant on oil supplied by unstable or hostile regimes.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Securing America's energy needs