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Economic implications of petroleum field size distributions

January 1, 1990

The unprecedented natural gas price increases in the late 1970's and early 1980's allowed a glimpse of part of the in-situ distribution of natural gas fields that had been hidden by economic truncation. Analysis of those discoveries shows the distribution to be characterized by progressively larger numbers of fields as size category declines. This paper demonstrates the effects of economic truncation for gas fields found in Texas State and Federal offshore areas in the Gulf of Mexico. Economic and policy implications of alternative in-situ field size distribution influence future gas supplies, the associated costs, and petroleum industry activity.

Publication Year 1990
Title Economic implications of petroleum field size distributions
DOI 10.1177/014459879000800307
Authors Emil D. Attanasi, Lawrence J. Drew
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Energy Exploration & Exploitation
Index ID 70199943
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Eastern Energy Resources Science Center