BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE

The Big Cypress National Preserve was created in 1974 when the Collier family conveyed more than 76,790 acres of land to the National Park Service, while maintaining private ownership of the mineral rights.

Of note, the Big Cypress National Preserve was established as a preserve, in part, for the purpose of maintaining certain existing rights – one of which was oil and gas exploration and development. In fact, lands are designated as preserves by the U.S. Congress to protect areas that have characteristics associated with U.S. National Parks, but where certain activities not allowed in national parks are permitted, including public hunting, trapping, recreation, off-road vehicle use, and oil and gas exploration and development.

In the creation of the Big Cypress National Preserve, the environmental protection standard that Congress mandated was to “...assure the natural and ecological integrity in perpetuity...” while allowing “...reasonable use and enjoyment of privately owned oil and gas interests.” .

Given the nature of the preserve, Collier Resources Company’s (CRC) lessees follow stringent environmental requirements unique to the area when exploring for or producing oil in the preserve. The National Park Service is the primary regulatory agency governing CRC’s lessees’ oil exploration in the Big Cypress National Preserve. The National Park Service’s mineral management plan, in conjunction with rigorous rules established by U.S. Congress, sets conditions that allow exploration and development of privately-owned mineral interests as long as the activities comply with strict environmental protection measures.

To learn more about Big Cypress National Preserve, please visit the National Park Service’s website.



Oil and natural gas supply more than 60 percent of our nation’s energy.

The oil industry provides more than 9.2 million American jobs, 267,277 in Florida alone.
The oil industry has invested $175 billion since 1990 toward improving the environmental performance of its products, facilities and operations.
Currently, oil is the principal transportation fuel in the United States, accounting for more than 97 percent of the energy that powers our nation’s automobiles, airplanes and ships.
Oil is expected to remain the dominant fuel in our nation’s energy mix for decades.
Combined with natural gas production, the oil industry supports nearly 9.2 million American jobs, while providing millions of dollars to the economy through state and local revenue each day. 
The oil and natural gas industry contributes significantly to the U.S. economy as one of the nation’s largest employers and purchasers of goods. 
9.8 million people are directly or indirectly employed by the U.S. oil and natural gas industry.
Energy demand in the U.S. is expected to grow by 12 percent between now and 2040.
America’s oil and natural gas industry has a long-standing commitment to safety and protecting the environment. 
Since 1990, the oil and natural gas industry has invested $239 billion toward improving the environmental performance of its products, facilities and operations
Oil and natural gas development has been safely conducted for more than 60 years.