Interior Department estimates show enough domestic resources to supply the nation’s oil and gas needs for years, highlighting the impact of evolving energy technology.
The U.S. Department of the Interior recently released a new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report estimating that federally managed public lands hold 29.4 billion barrels of “technically recoverable” oil and 391.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. These resources could supply the country’s current oil needs for about four years and meet natural gas demands for almost 12 years. The estimates span lands overseen by the Departments of Interior, Defense, Energy, Agriculture, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
“American Energy Dominance is more important than ever, and this report underscores the critical role science plays in informing our energy future,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “Thanks to the USGS’s rigorous and independent assessment, we’re better equipped to manage America’s vast public lands responsibly while supporting energy security and economic opportunity.”
The increase from 1998 estimates is attributed to advances in extraction technology and a shift toward assessing unconventional resources such as shale and tight oil and gas. USGS Acting Director Sarah Ryker also noted that these findings, compiled from assessments across 69 geologic provinces, are intended to inform decision-making in land use, energy planning, and economic development.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Interior Secretary Burgum as he seeks to increase oil and gas production from federal lands.
- For Acting Director Sarah Ryker as she oversees the USGS and its assessments of energy production availability.
Sources: Department of the Interior
