Skip to main content
Log in

A simplified spreadsheet program for estimating future growth of oil and gas reserves

  • Published:
Nonrenewable Resources Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Reserve growth refers to the typical increases in estimated sizes of fields that occur through time as oil and gas fields are developed and produced. Projections of the future reserve growth of known fields have become important components of hydrocarbon resource assessments. In this paper, we present an algorithm for estimating the future reserve growth of known fields. The algorithm, which incorporates fundamental reserve-growth assumptions used by others in the past, is programmed for a personal computer in the form of formulas for a spreadsheet. The primary advantages of this spreadsheet program lie in its simplicity and ease of use. We also present a library of 17 different growth functions that provides numerical models for predicting the future sizes of existing oil and gas fields in various regions of the United States. These growth functions are formatted for use in the spreadsheet program.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arrington, J. R., 1960, Predicting the size of crude reserves is key to evaluating exploration programs: Oil & Gas Journal, v. 58, no. 9, p. 130–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Attanasi, E. D., and Root, D. H., 1994, The enigma of oil and gas field growth: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 78, no. 3, p. 321–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gautier, D. L., Dolton, G. L., Takahashi, K. I., and Varnes, K. L., eds., 1995, 1995 National Assessment of United States oil and gas resources—Results, methodology, and supporting data: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series DDS-30.

  • Lore, G. L., Brooke, J. P., Cooke, D. W., Klazynski, R. J., Olson, D. L., and Ross, K. M., 1996, Summary of the 1995 assessment of conventionally recoverable hydrocarbon resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf: Minerals Management Service OCS Report MMS 96-0047, 41 p. plus 5 appendices.

  • Minerals Management Service, 1996, An assessment of the undiscovered hydrocarbon potential of the Nation’s Outer Continental Shelf: Minerals Management Service OCS Report MMS 96-0034, 40 p

  • Oil & Gas Journal, 1996, Oil and gas reserves, oil output rise in 1996: Oil & Gas Journal, v. 94, no. 53, p. 37–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Root, D. H., Attanasi, E. D., Mast, R. F., and Gautier, D. L., 1995, Estimates of inferred reserves for the 1995 USGS National oil and gas resource assessment: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-75-L, 29 p.

  • Schmoker, J. W. and Attanasi, E. D., 1997, Reserve growth important to U.S. gas supply: Oil & Gas Journal, v. 95, no. 4, p. 95–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Geological Survey National Oil, and Gas Resource Assessment Team, 1995, 1995 National assessment of United, States oil and gas resources: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1118, 20 p.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schmoker, J.W., Crovelli, R.A. A simplified spreadsheet program for estimating future growth of oil and gas reserves. Nat Resour Res 7, 149–155 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02767709

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02767709

Key words

Navigation