The United States depends on oil and gas for approximately 63 percent of the energy it consumes. Many forecasts project that relatively low oil and gas prices and high U.S. dependency on these fuels will continue well into the next century. The economic benefits of having strong oil and gas industries that create export-related jobs supports the competitive economy required for global market competition in the twenty-first century and simultaneously provides low-priced domestic oil and gas fuels. A coordinated strategy has been developed to help achieve the Department of Energy's Oil Technology, Natural Gas Research, and related Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) Program goals that support projected demand. Further, because of tightening budgets and generally reduced implementation resources, the strategy was formed to help attain the goals and attendant economic benefits using minimum resources and without unacceptable environmental costs or national security risks.