First published in 1993, this book traces and analyses the changing policies of American offshore oil companies concerning the exploration and development of the Outer Continental Shelf in the period from 1970 to 1976 -- covering environmental legislation, the oil embargo, presidential initiatives, and proposed international laws. Where previous studies concerning the Outer Continental Shelf had only examined broad policy issues on an international level, this study focuses on those American offshore companies who were major actors in ocean affairs, especially in the exploration and development of the region.