The estimated natural gas resource base in the United States has reached an all-time high, the American Gas Association (AGA) reported Tuesday.

During a virtual AGA event, the Potential Gas Committee (PGC) stated that its year-end 2020 technically recoverable gas resource estimate — that is, in the ground but not yet recovered — totals 3,368 Tcf. 

The technically recoverable estimate comprises 3,212 Tcf of potentially recoverable gas from “traditional” reservoirs — conventional, tight sands, carbonates and shales — and 157 Tcf in coalbed gas reservoirs, AGA explained. 

Combining  the technically recoverable estimate with recovered gas brings the PGC’s total gas figure — resources plus reserves — to a record 3,863 Tcf, AGA noted. Compared to PGC’s previous assessment, the...