@geoffgo and Old Salt: There is plenty of petroleum or equivalent out there.

The problem with great new finds is this:

Bring in a LOT and your expenses go up but your revenue goes down.

Person has to know that there will be buyers at positive cash flow levels or foot dragging ensues.

That is what enables all the obstructionism.
Been this way ever since John D Rockefeller lost that big antitrust case just like he wanted to lose it.

Gotta have some “price fixing” in the mix or production suffers.

Also, a royalty paid to a US citizen is a business expense. A royalty paid to a foreign government is a tax credit. Think that doesn’t discourage domestic production.?