But establishing a gas reserve policy would do little to alter this fact.
The state has the largest oilfield in America and, on its North Slope, the largest known untapped natural gas reserve.
Despite its growing diplomatic isolation, Israel's economy prospered, with the most dramatic development being the discovery in June of a huge offshore natural gas reserve.
The Tamar field went into production as a smaller natural gas reserve, known as Yam Thetis, at a site farther south, began to run out.
It could strengthen requirements for countries to maintain a strategic gas reserve, and it ought to stress energy efficiency, too.It will also look at new pipeline plans.
BP and Transocean officials said the pressure that was building in the oil and gas reserve that the rig was drilling was not exceptional.
Shell's board fired its top two executives, and it has been revamping its policies after cutting its proven oil and gas reserve estimates by 20percentt in January.
Earlier this year, Shell revised its proven oil and gas reserve levels downward by 20percentt, or about 3.9 billion barrels.
