October 27th, 2010
01:26 AM ET

Alaska's untapped oil reserves estimate lowered 90 percent

The U.S. Geological Survey says a revised estimate for the amount of conventional, undiscovered oil in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska is a fraction of a previous estimate.

The group estimates about 896 million barrels of such oil are in the reserve, about 90 percent less than a 2002 estimate of 10.6 billion barrels.

The new estimate is mainly due to the incorporation of new data from recent exploration drilling revealing gas occurrence rather than oil in much of the area, the geological survey said.

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  1. Lee Oates

    Some of these right-wing morons attack President Obama because they are racist and they are trying to transfer your angry at him and away from the real criminals, Bush and Cheney. Quit being manipulated by arrogent tools of the Republicans.

    October 27, 2010 at 11:38 am | Report abuse |
    • iteabagyourmom

      You mst be black, and hate Bush / Cheney because of the colo of thier skin

      March 16, 2011 at 4:56 pm | Report abuse |
    • conservitive

      Im sorry sir but these right wing morons are just thinking of ways to stop the oil crisis im not saying all republicans are good thats for sure but there are many great ones to. ive seen many good democrats in history.

      Your post was crude and irrelivent to the conversation of the oil reserves how do we know that obama isnt tapping in mabye hes signing things to start the procces. did u think of that? Don't assume that all republicans are racist. in the civil war there were many democrats that hailed from the south

      I personaly know african bashing democrats too

      May 18, 2011 at 7:55 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Steveo

    Two Mules for Sister Sarah.

    October 27, 2010 at 11:38 am | Report abuse |
  3. Recovering Republican

    Just send in Sarah Palin to show us where to "Drill Baby Drill". She is the answer to all challenges, except for those based on reality.
    Now we are going to have to embrace responsible renewable energy. In the end, gravity always wins, and not even the mighty rhetoric of the Right Wing Machine can defeat gravity.
    Get ready for the Green Revolution, which is going to be driven by the mighty American pocketbook, which is not going to like tomorrows oil prices.

    October 27, 2010 at 11:41 am | Report abuse |
  4. RAD

    Crappy writing! A fraction isn't necessarily tiny. For example, 99/100 is a fraction!

    Come on guys. We're supposed to *trust* you?

    P.S. This use of "fraction" is not only wrong but it is a cliché.

    October 27, 2010 at 1:26 pm | Report abuse |
  5. sgt. Slaughter

    Wow ..... Talk about the old.... Pump and Dump scheme.... The american people bought it .... Hook line and sinker....Madoff couldn't have done it better....

    October 27, 2010 at 4:11 pm | Report abuse |
  6. sgt. Slaughterthemall

    If there's oil to use in this world, let's make sure Americans get to use it......the Chinese, Indians and Paki's can walk or ride bikes......NOT AMERICANS...

    October 27, 2010 at 4:47 pm | Report abuse |
  7. jim jiones

    let me explain how this works. they use seismic mapping to define structures.... then once they see certain types of geologic systems that contain 'trapping mechanisms' for the oil, they make an estimate using probablisitic analysis to determine the amount of oil that may or may NOT be in the prospective area. this may or may not coincide with a production test of an exploration well. it is highly unknown how much oil is there and that is why you can easily be off by 90%. now as far as this article referring to the oil as 'reserves', people will continue to make stupid remarks like
    derp derp gasoline expensive, oil companies bad, stupid government derp derp

    October 27, 2010 at 7:20 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Tom Clark

    DRILL, BABY, DRILL

    October 28, 2010 at 10:04 am | Report abuse |
  9. b. stewart

    The truth will never be revealed to the public. Why worry? The powers that be have a plan that will benefit themselves only. This is the only certainty (plus death and taxes).

    February 22, 2011 at 6:43 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Danny

    I do not but this for a minute, been lied to way too many times by the same people.

    April 22, 2011 at 4:06 am | Report abuse |
  11. Ryan

    So, that'd last the US for a little under 50 days at the consumption rates I was able to find... some reserve.

    July 20, 2011 at 5:24 am | Report abuse |
  12. Fed up with 0bama

    Funny how this figure gets whacked during the 0bama admin and while we're paying $4 a gallon for oil. How about we look into this again REALISTICALLY and get the crap out of the ground even if it's a piddling 896 million barrels. I'm sure WE COULD USE IT!

    February 26, 2012 at 7:44 pm | Report abuse |
  13. what is black currant oil good for

    Hey there, You have performed a great job. I'll certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this web site.

    April 2, 2012 at 6:29 pm | Report abuse |
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