The Nation: A Filibuster Ends, but Not The Gas War

(5 of 5)

Also at issue are differing definitions on what constitutes new gas, which presumably will qualify for higher prices, and what is old gas, which probably would not rise in price. The House accepted the Carter formula defining as new any gas that flows from offshore wells leased after April 20, 1977, and from onshore or shallow-water wells authorized or drilled after April 20, 1977; such wells also must be 2.5 miles from existing wells, or 1,000 ft. deeper. The Senate more simply defined new gas as that produced from reservoirs put into production after Jan. 1, or extensions of reservoirs already in production.

With the Senate-House conference committee battle looming, Senator Abraham Ribicoff aptly described the Carter energy program as being "in a shambles." Just what kind of package will emerge —first from the Senate, then from the House-Senate conference committee—remained in great doubt.