Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas in the Arctic

Science
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Abstract

Among the greatest uncertainties in future energy supply and a subject of considerable environmental concern is the amount of oil and gas yet to be found in the Arctic. By using a probabilistic geology-based methodology, the United States Geological Survey has assessed the area north of the Arctic Circle and concluded that about 30% of the world’s undiscovered gas and 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil may be found there, mostly offshore under less than 500 meters of water. Undiscovered natural gas is three times more abundant than oil in the Arctic and is largely concentrated in Russia. Oil resources, although important to the interests of Arctic countries, are probably not sufficient to substantially shift the current geographic pattern of world oil production.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas in the Arctic
Series title Science
DOI 10.1126/science.1169467
Volume 324
Issue 5931
Year Published 2009
Language English
Publisher Science
Contributing office(s) Central Energy Resources Science Center, Energy Resources Program, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
Description 5 p.
First page 1175
Last page 1179
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