The US oil industry is mounting its biggest ever campaign to influence the November presidential election, as it seeks to capitalise on the transformation of America’s energy landscape by shale gas and oil.

The American Petroleum Institute’s “Vote 4 Energy” campaign is designed to win support for candidates who back its agenda of increased access and limited regulation for oil and gas companies. Jack Gerard, president of the Washington-based industry group, said the shale gas and oil revolution was creating a “game-changing opportunity to reshape the energy landscape” that required specific policy decisions.

With jobs growth weak, the oil and gas industry is one of the US economy’s few bright spots and the API believes it can use the sector’s strength to make energy policy a central election issue. Mr Gerard said that with increased production, renewable energy and help from Canadian oil supplies, “the US can become energy independent in 12 years”.