Study of Worldwide Natural Gas Resource and Reserve Estimation: NNEMS EPA Question No. 1204

摘要

The report is part of the National Network for Environmental Management Studies under the auspices of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The estimation of natural gas resources and reserves is a complex, subjective scientific problem for which well-established, though expensive, techniques exist worldwide. The most important information for creating more accurate estimates is the abundance of exploratory cores and well log data. The United States, having spent more money and covered more ground exploring for gas than any other nation, produces relatively accurate gas estimates. World Oil and Oil and Gas Journal annually gather and publish information on worldwide gas reserves by sending questionnaires to all significant gas-bearing countries. In the U.S. the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Potential Gas Committee, and the Minerals Management Service estimate domestic gas resources, while the Energy Information Administration and the American Gas Association gather information on domestic reserves. These estimates are generally accurate enough for planning and policy making. How economic and technological change will affect published reserves and resources is uncertain. All published estimates are based on current technology and economic conditions.