Assessing Gas and Oil Resources in the Intermountain West. Review of Methods and Framework For a New Approach
Abstract
The availability of gas and oil resources in the Intermountain Western United States has become the subject of increased debate in recent years. Several studies have concluded that substantial amounts of gas and oil resources in the region are inaccessible because of legally restricted access to federal lands (e.g., National Petroleum Council, 1999; Advanced Resources International, 2001). Some stakeholders have reacted to the studies by calling for reduced access restrictions, while others have called the studies flawed and support continued restrictions. The debate has sparked renewed interest in the process of assessing hydrocarbon fuel resources. This report is part of an energy initiative by the Hewlett Foundation. In this effort the foundation asked RAND to: * review existing resource assessment methodologies and results * evaluate recent studies of federal land access restrictions in the Intermountain West * consider a set of criteria that can be used to define the "viable" hydrocarbon resource, with particular attention to issues relevant to the Intermountain West * develop a more comprehensive assessment methodology for the viable resource * employ this methodology to assess the viable resource in Intermountain West basins.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA404454
Entities
People
- Ben Vollaard
- Christopher Pernin
- Mark Bernstein
- Paul Holtberg
- Tom LaTourrette
Organizations
- RAND Corporation