“Drill, Baby, Drill”— Hmmm…?

ROBERT E. “BOB” WARREN, President, Baclenna, Inc. 

“Scientia potentia est” (Knowledge itself is power): Sir Francis Bacon  

In a time of universal deceit—telling the truth is a revolutionary act: George Orwell 

The phrase “Drill, Baby, Drill” was coined during the 2008 presidential campaign as a rallying cry promoting expanded domestic oil and gas production. It became shorthand for the belief that increased fossil fuel production would—quickly—reduce energy prices, strengthen national security, create jobs, and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. The record on these points, while improving, has faced fierce headwinds, due to lack of consensus.  

Energy policy is complex. The words resonated as a political battle cry. It became memorable in various sectors of society and industry, and it remains emotionally resonant today. But as an energy policy position, the implications are more complex, and certain core assumptions are incomplete—or simply inaccurate when viewed through an economic and geopolitical prism. Those who strive for reduced U.S. dependence on fossil fuels then privately/publicly preach other sources; those (of us) who see increased fossil fuel energy as the bridge to the future are encouraged, but the elite naysayers carry much influence.  

Fig. 1. Increased drilling in bountiful areas like the Permian basin does not necessarily lower gasoline prices. Image: ConocoPhillips.

Production does not determine prices. The assumption that increased drilling directly lowers gasoline prices is also more complicated than the slogan implies, Fig. 1. Because oil value is determined on the global market, domestic production—while important—does not determine consumer prices. Increases in U.S. production have contributed to greater supply, but historically, the effect on prices has been modest and lagging.  

History has also presented global events: OPEC decisions, geopolitical instability, refining bottlenecks, and demand fluctuations. The United States experienced this dynamic clearly during the 2010s: even as the country skyrocketed to become the world’s largest oil producer, due to shale drilling, gasoline prices still fluctuated widely during moments of international tension or refinery constraints. The notion that drilling alone can stabilize or significantly lower prices for consumers simplifies a complex global commodity landscape. 

True energy security is complicated. Then, the relationship between domestic drilling and energy security is more nuanced than the slogan suggests. While producing more oil domestically may reduce reliance on imports with potential national security benefits, energy security cannot be measured solely by the volume of oil extracted within national borders. True energy security includes resilience, diversification, supply chain stability, and the ability to weather geopolitical shocks. To this point, domestic drilling may provide a buffer, but it cannot insulate the nation from the risks inherent in the world oil market. 

Drilling doesn’t guarantee prosperity. Unfortunately, the phrase presents drilling as an easy solution to job growth and economic prosperity. While oil and gas development generates high-paying jobs, particularly in extraction regions, the economic picture is complex and heavily cyclical. Communities that are reliant on drilling often experience boom-and-bust cycles tied to volatile oil prices, leading to periods of rapid economic growth followed by sudden contractions as rigs are idled and many in the employment food chain are terminated—blue collar and professional.  

The job intensity of fossil fuel extraction has rapidly decreased, due to automation and improved drilling efficiency, with the result that modern drilling generates fewer jobs per barrel produced than it did in previous decades. “Drill Baby Drill” obscures the volatility of the industry and the transition challenges facing workers as energy cycles evolve. 

Trade-offs are not straightforward. Additionally, energy policy decisions today must account for climate commitments, public health, environmental justice, and the long-term sustainability of national energy. A slogan like “Drill, Baby, Drill” captures none of these complexities, instead implying that expanded drilling is a straightforward solution rather than a policy choice with significant trade-offs. Viewing energy policy through a singular lens of drilling ignores the benefits of diversification, resilience, and technological innovation. By emphasizing drilling as the central strategy for economic and energy success, the slogan overlooks structural shifts already reshaping the sector. 

“Drill, Baby, Drill” is a political slogan, and like most slogans, its simplicity is both its strength and weakness. No single action—especially not drilling alone—adequately addresses all of these dimensions. It will become an historic punchline, like many others in the political arena. The words excite us, but they may not translate into needed industry developments. It oversimplifies fuel prices, obscures complexities of global energy markets, underrepresents environmental and economic trade-offs, and ignores the accelerating transformation within global energy systems.  

This industry keeps things running. While domestic oil and gas production is a crucial facet of national energy strategy, relying on drilling as a catch-all solution is neither accurate nor sufficient for the challenges of the 21st century. Unfortunately, simply speaking a popular political phrase will not translate into a long-term vibrant industry when U.S. energy resources are vital for our future and must not be taken for granted. Energy knowledge is power. So, consider tonight when you set your thermostat for a comfortable night’s rest, to thank the men and women working in remote oil and gas operations around the country and around the world … who keep the lights burning and the wheels turning for the rest of us—we need you.   

BOB WARREN is President of Baclenna, Inc., an energy consulting service based in Houston, Texas. He holds a BS degree in petroleum engineering from Texas Tech University and an MBA degree from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas. He also completed the Corporate Social Responsibility Program at Harvard Business School. Mr. Warren has over 45 years of industry experience in foreign operations and executive corporate management. His perspectives are his alone, but they may represent the views of others.