Hydrocarbon resources of US Arctic
In April 1980, the National Petroleum Council, an advisory committee to the Secretary of Energy, was requested to estimate, among other directly relevant matters, the oil and gas resources of the US Arctic regions. The evaluation was based on a review of publicly available information and a survey of the study participants. The results are a composite of anonymous estimates of 20 industry representatives. As of August 1980, 16.5 billion bbl of recoverable oil and oil-equivalent gas had been discovered on the North Slope. An additional 44 billion bbl of undiscovered, recoverable oil and oil-equivalent gas are estimated for the US Arctic. Of these, 24 billion bbl may be oil and the remainder will consist of 109 tcf of gas and natural gas liquids. These undiscovered resources constitute as much as 40% of the total undiscovered recoverable oil and gas remaining within US jurisdiction. A 1% chance exists that the undiscovered recoverable oil and oil-equivalent gas could exceed 99 billion bbl. Of 10 highly prospective areas, the largest resources occur offshore in the Beaufort shelf and the Navarin basin shelf. Basins appearing to have a relatively low potential should not be ignored. Future geologic information could cause significant revisions. Cost and technical considerations detract significantly from the apparent exploration merit of some resource-bearing basins, particularly in the arctic marine areas. Industry investment commitments since the study correspond with the study results.
- Research Organization:
- DeGolyer and MacNaughton, Dallas, TX
- OSTI ID:
- 6185403
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8405216-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 68:4; ISSN AAPGB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ARCTIC REGIONS
COST
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
POLAR REGIONS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
RESOURCES
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS