How the States Rate

 Proved Reserves - Western US as of 2001
("Proved Reserves" is a technical term for how much we are reasonably sure is still in the ground, waiting to be extracted)

 
Oil
Natural Gas*
Proved Reserves
Millions of Barrels (MBO)
State Rank
(out of 50)
Proved Reserves
Billions of Cubic Feet (GCF)
State Rank
(out of 50)
California
3,627
3
2,681
12
Nevada
less than 5
25-30
n/a**
---
Oregon
n/a**
---
n/a**
---
Washington
n/a**
---
n/a**
---
 
 
 
Total Section
3,627 MBO
  
2,681 GCF
  
Pacific Ocean
(federal waters)
547 MBO
  
540 GCF
  
         
U.S. TOTAL
22,446 MBO
  
183,460 GCF
  
Source:US Energy Information Administration's US Crude Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Reserves, November 2001

* Natural Gas here refers only to dry natural gas. Wet gas and coalbed methane are not included in this chart
** little or no oil and/or natural gas is produced
 
 
References:
  • .Heylmun, Edgar B., 1999, Oil and Gas in Washington, International California Mining Journal, Volume 68, Number 9.
  • Utah Geological Survey, 2001, Utah! 100 Years of Exploration: and still the place to find oil and gas, Public Information Series 71.
  • Ritzius, D.E., et al., 1993, California Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources: An introduction, California Department of Conservation Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources: Sacramento, CA.
  • Oil and Gas Production History in California

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