A newly released Gas Research Institute study examining theshift in perceptions of the U.S. gas resource base, titled”Changing Perceptions Of Remaining U.S. Conventional GasResources,” discusses how the move — from the shortage mentalityof the 1970s to today’s view that gas is abundantly available –has resulted from an interplay of factors. Factors discussedinclude increased exploration success rates in frontier plays,improved gas well recoveries and continued reserve appreciationactivity in existing fields. GRI, with Energy and EnvironmentalAnalysis Inc. of Arlington, VA, developed the study.

One of the most notable observations comes from an analysis ofthe discoveries in the deep-water Gulf of Mexico, which concludesthat 9.7 billion barrels of liquids and 40.1 Tcf of gas havealready been found in the deep-water play. Such a level ofconfirmed discoveries is beginning to challenge the lower range oftotal deep-water potential envisioned as recently as 1995. Aprojection at the field level for 85 deep-water fields currentlyproducing or scheduled to go online in the near future indicatesthat production of 1.6 million barrels per day of oil and more than5 Bcf/d of gas can be expected. Comparison to newly constructeddeep-water pipeline capacity confirms this interim assessment.

The report can be ordered directly from the GRI DocumentFulfillment Center, 1510 Hubbard Drive, Batavia, IL 60510, or fax,630-406-5995. The report is $25 for GRI members and $35 fornonmembers, plus shipping and handling. Joe Fisher, Houston

©Copyright 1998 Intelligence Press, Inc. All rightsreserved. The preceding news report may not be republished orredistributed in whole or in part without prior written consent ofIntelligence Press, Inc.