We have hugh proven oil fields here in Alaska. ANWR is loaded with oil, far more than reported. But the Greenies don't want us drilling there, so Congress keeps it off limits. NPR, has oil, again the Feds are blocking the removal of this oil, and piping it to the collecting point for the Alaska Oil Pipeline. All of this oil is not off shore, no problem drilling, just need to get permits. Oil from ANWR can be in the pipe three years after getting the go ahead to drill. There is lots of oil in the shallow coastal shelf, along Alaska's northern coast. Shell was poised to start drilling. Drill rig in place, workers moving to the rig, material already transported to the site. EPA pulled the permit, stopped all drilling, saying the smoke from the electrical generation unit might affect a village 250 miles away on shore. The permit was released one month later, too late to drill this summer, now they have to wait for the summer of 2012.
Off shore they drill during the summer, with a small window to work in. On shore drilling is done during the winter, with a much wider window for work.