Washington: A recent federal assessment conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has revealed substantial undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and natural gas reserves in parts of Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado, the U.S. Interior Department announced on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
The resources identified lie within the Mowry Composite Total Petroleum System (TPS), an area covering most of southwestern Wyoming along with smaller sections of Utah and Colorado. This discovery is seen as a potential boost to the nation’s domestic energy supplies, aligning closely with the Trump administration’s push to expand drilling and mining activities on public lands.
Key Quote
“This new USGS assessment underscores the role of American energy resources in strengthening our energy independence and driving economic development across the West,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement.
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Background
The renewed emphasis on increasing extraction of fossil fuels and minerals from federal lands is a central element of President Donald Trump’s broader agenda aimed at dismantling regulatory barriers that have traditionally limited domestic production of oil, gas, and metals.
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By the Numbers
The USGS assessment estimates that the Mowry Composite TPS holds approximately 473 million barrels of oil and 27 trillion cubic feet of natural gas yet to be discovered. Since exploration began in the 1950s, this system has already yielded about 7.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 90 million barrels of oil.
What’s Next
The findings from this assessment will inform future land use decisions and resource management strategies by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the federal agency responsible for overseeing energy development on public lands.
