The Twitter-sphere did a good job reflecting many of the key messages from API's annual State of American Energy event in Washington.

Start with the fact that America's oil and natural gas companies are driving the U.S. economy with increased production and refining operations:

There were reminders of the energy sector's potential for putting millions of Americans to work:

A dominant theme was the need for industry, government and others to work together to benefit U.S. consumers:

Others: pragmatic solution-finding, transcending partisanship in Washington, the American public's support for robust domestic energy production. And more, all emanating from API's annual report (see also the report's pullout infographic) and in keynote remarks by API President and CEO Jack Gerard. (Click here for event archived video.)

Gerard underscored the basic need of a modern society for secure, reliable energy:

Energy is fundamental to our society. From the electricity that lights our homes and powers our appliances, to the fuel that keeps our vehicles running, to the chemicals that make modern medicine possible the (API) report demonstrates the countless ways energy is essential to modern society, with oil and natural gas as the foundation.â€

Securing that energy in a safe and responsible manner is industry's primary goal. Thanks to domestic production that has made the United States the world's leading oil and natural gas producer, its modern refining capacity and a vast infrastructure network, Americans are realizing energy cost savings, U.S. manufacturers are more competitive globally and our country has a growing opportunity to export affordable and abundant energy to help improve the standard of living for millions around the world. Gerar...