This new USGS assessment underscores the role of American energy resources in strengthening our energy independence and driving economic development across the West,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum in an official news release. “Public lands in Southwestern Wyoming hold significant potential, and this science-based evaluation provides critical data to help inform responsible resource management.
“We Map, Baby, Map to provide updated estimates of recoverable oil and gas and equip decision-makers, communities, and industry with the knowledge they need to support job creation, domestic energy production, and long-term economic growth,” Burgum continued.
The U.S. Department of the Interior, through a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessment released on May 20, 2025, reported significant undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in the Mowry Composite Total Petroleum System, spanning parts of southwestern Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. The key findings include:
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Resource Estimates:
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473 million barrels of oil (technically recoverable, undiscovered).
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27 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (technically recoverable, undiscovered).
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Geological Context:
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The Mowry Composite Total Petroleum System includes formations such as the Dakota Sandstone, Muddy Sandstone, Mowry Shale, and Frontier Formation, formed in a shallow, prehistoric ocean covering the Rocky Mountain region.
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Since the 1950s, this system has produced approximately 7.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (equivalent to three months of U.S. consumption at current rates) and 90 million barrels of oil (about four days of U.S. consumption).
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Significance:
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The assessment highlights the potential to bolster domestic energy supply and support local economies in the Western U.S.
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Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum emphasized the role of these resources in strengthening U.S. energy independence and driving economic development, with public lands in southwestern Wyoming holding significant potential.
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Acting USGS Director Sarah Ryker noted that the assessment focuses on undiscovered resources, providing critical data for responsible resource management.
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Implications:
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The findings could enhance U.S. energy independence by tapping into these reserves, potentially reducing reliance on foreign energy sources.
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The resources are seen as a driver for economic growth, particularly in Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah, through job creation and energy development.
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This assessment aligns with broader Department of the Interior efforts to expand domestic energy production, as evidenced by related initiatives like increased offshore leasing in the Gulf of Mexico. For further details, the full USGS report is accessible via the Department of the Interior or USGS websites.
Energy News Beat