BP executive says US cannot do without Gulf oil

WASHINGTON: The head of BP America tells Congress that despite the catastrophic oil spill, the U.S. cannot do without oil from the Gulf of Mexico.

Lamar McKay, chairman and president of BP America, Inc., told a House Energy and Commerce panel in prepared testimony that the U.S. economy, security and standard of living ``significantly depend upon domestic oil and gas production.'' He said that companies have operated in the Gulf safely and reliably. The Associated Press obtained a copy of his remarks prior to delivery.

McKay warned that reducing energy production without consumption would shift jobs offshore, and put millions of additional barrels onto tanker ships that travel across oceans.