Lifting 39-year-old restrictions on oil exports would boost the U.S. economy and lower gasoline prices, while strengthening the nation’s hand in international disputes, according to a study released Tuesday.

Eliminating or ending some of the restrictions in the near-ban of crude oil exports could yield an economic infusion of between $600 billion and $1.8 trillion, the joint Brookings Institution and NERA Economic Consulting study said. Removing the export ban also would reduce gasoline prices by 9 cents per gallon in 2015, largely by encouraging more oil and gas production, the study found.