Concern over substance of US aid ideas

摘要

A dizzying range of ideas to support a US oil and gas industry reeling from the coronavirus pandemic and massive drop in oil demand have been swirling in the public sphere amid statements of support from President Donald Trump. However, it remains remains unclear how or whether any proposal to help the industry will ultimately materialise, industry observers said. Trump last week pledged in the wake of negative oil prices that his administration would "never let the great US oil and gas industry down". "I have instructed the Secretary of Energy and Secretary of the Treasury to formulate a plan, which will make funds available so that these very important companies and jobs will be secured long into the future!" he added. But specifics have been scant. Last month, Trump had vowed to fill the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) "up to the top" to help producers, but the measure did not make it into the first round of economic stimulus as initially envisaged.