In the debate over solutions for our current energy crunch those who are opposed to expansion of oil drilling in areas which are currently prohibited often state, as if it were fact, that it would take 10 to 15 years to increase domestic oil production.

The question is: if the moritorium on drilling off shore and in "protected areas" on shore was lifted tomorrow. How long would it take for that oil to hit the market?

Each area is different, to some it will could be 10 years in others as few as a few years may be possible.. But the issue here is that in many of these it was many years ago that they were stopped form exploring, so if they had done it then we would have that oil now. So if we do not do it now, we will still be needing it in 20 more years

It's very annoying, isn't it?.

If you're talking about drilling in Colorado or Alaska or the Canadian Oil Sands, then the problem there isn't that it's illegal to drill, it's that it costs two to four times as much to get the same amount of oil out of the ground as it does in the gulf or elsewhere. This is because of the cold temperatures. Royal Dutch Shell is working on Colorado I know.

I know they drill in Siberia, but I don't know how they do it or what problems they face, but I know it's generally very difficult to drill oil in frozen places because you have to thaw the ground to pump the oil.

I've heard around five years, but I don't have any evidence one way or the other, though I'm sure if you Google it you'll find similar answers. (note I don't count it as evidence unless it comes from a reputable source)