The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. Kerogen that formed from land plants (called. "North Dakota Field Production of Crude Oil," Accessed Jan. 9, 2020. The main reason for the drop was that between May and October only 1 well was completed every day, on average, far below the level required to maintain current output (~3 wells/day). They flooded the market, driving prices down in 2014. The Council of Economic Advisers. They use an interactive computational model to explore how hydraulic fracturing releases natural gas from deep shale formations. National Geographic Headquarters The latest oil price forecast shows they will remain in that range. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. See how hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, releases petroleum or natural gas trapped in shale rock formations. For example, Australia’s oil shales are siliceous (silica-based). That will keep prices from rising much above that price level. Kimberly Amadeo has 20 years of experience in economic analysis and business strategy. The Mighty US Shale Takes on Saudi Arabia and Russia US shale producers are a whole different beast from Saudi Arabia and Russia, and US shale producers won’t go down without a … © 1996 - 2020 National Geographic Society. “EIA Estimates of Drilled but Uncompleted Wells(DUCs)," Accessed Jan. 31, 2020. The initial drilling only accounts for 40% of the total cost. Oil shale is a rock that contains significant amounts of organic material in the form of kerogen. The process of extracting shale oil is expensive, much more expensive than the process of extracting crude oil. hydrocarbon extracted from oil shale. liquid mixture made from oil and used to run many motor vehicles. Fracking causes ecological damage to the environment. Oil production in North Dakota fell by 1% in October to just below 1.2 million bo/d, despite that more than 100 temporarily shut-in wells were brought back online. salty water, usually a mixture of seawater and freshwater. Coal, one of humankind’s earliest fuel sources, is still used today to generate electricity. She writes about the U.S. Economy for The Balance. The Globe and Mail's Sherrill Sutherland explains what is shale oil, how it is drilled and why it's important to the energy industry Investor sentiment has more influence on oil prices. Like traditional petroleum, natural gas, and coal, oil shale and kerogen are fossil fuels. Kukersite is found in the Baltic Oil Shale Basin in Estonia and Russia. Accessed Jan. 9, 2020. In many cases, the remaining oil underground is simply left for more … Prices dropped to $30 a barrel later that year, simply because of fear, not a significant change in supply or demand. U.S. Energy Information Administration. 5  The field has layers of dense, oil-bearing rock about two miles underground. Is U.S. Nuclear Power the Answer to Climate Change? Shale Oil and the Pros and Cons of Fracking. The high-pressure pumping may trigger shifts in the fault lines. The “Shale Revolution” refers to the combination of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling that enabled the United States to significantly increase its production of oil and natural gas, particularly from tight oil formations, which now account for 36% of total U.S. crude oil production. "Oklahoma Now Has More Earthquakes than California," Accessed Jan. 9, 2020. Due to this expense, the use of shale oil in the U.S. has fluctuated depending on the price of crude oil. Oil shale is a type of rock that can be burned for energy or fuel. Oil shales from marine environments formed mostly from deposits of algae and plankton. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, opened up more natural gas for production, but the technology added costs to the oil extraction process. Explore nonrenewable and renewable options with this collection on energy resources. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. Shale oil is similar to petroleum, and can be refined into many different substances, including diesel fuel, Oil shales are often classified by their depositional history and mineral content. dark, solid fossil fuel mined from the earth. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. oil production is … European countries, and later the United States, began extracting oil shale and shale oil and burning them as sources of fuel. Students discover how geologists use the composition and location of rocks to find deposits of oil and natural gas. Communities, governments, oil companies, and environmental organizations must weigh the cost of extraction with the benefits of an oil resource. U.S. Field Production of Crude Oil, Annual, The United States is Now the Largest Global Crude Oil Producer, The Value of U.S. Energy Innovation and Policies Supporting the Shale Revolution, North Dakota Field Production of Crude Oil, Bakken Formation Oil and Gas Drilling Activity Mirrors Development in the Barnett, Unlocking Tight Oil: Selective Multistage Fracturing in the Bakken Shale, EIA Estimates of Drilled but Uncompleted Wells(DUCs), North Dakota Oil Production Reaches New High in 2012, Transported by Trucks and Railroads, EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources. Spanning the U.S. states of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, the Green River formation is an underground oil shale formation that contains as much as 1.8 trillion barrels of shale oil. A sedimentary rock’s, Oil shales from lacustrine environments formed mostly from algae living in freshwater, saltwater, or. Tasmanite is named after the region in which it was discovered, the island of Tasmania, Australia. Although not all of this can be extracted, it is more than three times the proven petroleum reserves of Saudi Arabia. Before drillers can extract the first drop of oil, they must pump in 800 truckloads of water. They also use hundreds of truckloads of other material. Kukersite, tasmanite, and marinite are types of marine shales. How COVID-19 Has Affected the U.S. Economy, Canada's Economy Is Why Justin Trudeau Is the New Prime Minister. Are Earthquakes Induced by Fluid-Injection Activities Always Located Close to the Point of Injection? rock formed from fragments of other rocks or the remains of plants or animals. Fracking has been safely used in the United States since 1947. Shale oil has reduced the price of oil by 10%. That's a total savings of $4 billion. As a result, gasoline prices fell. This helps low-income families more since they spend a higher proportion of their income on necessities such as transportation. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. soft, malleable material made from petroleum and often used as a sealant or lubricant. As a result, the United States became the world’s largest crude-oil producer, according to the Energy Information Administration. U.S. reliance on foreign oil imports has fallen from 9.8 million barrels per day in 2013 to 8.6 million b/d in 2019. Fracking is a proven drilling technology used for extracting oil, natural gas, geothermal energy, or water from deep underground. The shale oil extraction revolution has dramatically impacted U.S. oil and gas production. They drove the price of West Texas Intermediate up to $145 a barrel. The US in particular has benefited from a so-called shale revolution, with its daily production of crude oil increasing from five million to 7.5 million barrels between 2005 and 2013. So, shale oil accounted for around 24% of the oil production that year.  They cause earthquakes by pumping wastewater into special disposal wells. Human civilization heavily impacts the environment and the rich natural resources we depend on. The process of extracting liquid crude oil from the ground is comparatively simple to extracting oil shale. The Geological Society of America. wetland of soft ground made mostly of decaying plant matter. How Is Hydraulic Fracturing Related to Earthquakes and Tremors? "The Value of U.S. Energy Innovation and Policies Supporting the Shale Revolution," Page 9. "The Value of U.S. Energy Innovation and Policies Supporting the Shale Revolution," Page 3. That was despite the Great Recession. The Bakken Field in North Dakota and Montana is the largest producing shale oil reserve. The field has layers of dense, oil-bearing rock about two miles underground. The Council of Economic Advisers. Australia, Brazil, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, and South Africa began mining oil shale in the 19th and 20th centuries, but they all stopped production by the 1960s. petroleum trapped in often-impermeable rock formations. process of heating biomass to very high temperatures with a limited amount of oxygen. She or he will best know the preferred format. Some shale companies, such as Oasis Petroleum, Lonestar Resources, Chaparral Energy, Extraction Oil & Gas, Lilis Energy, Ultra Petroleum and currently … solid material transported and deposited by water, ice, and wind. With horizontal drilling, in which wells are drilled down and then to the side, the likelihood of hitting shale oil increases significantly. However, over time, there has been a shift in demand for cheaper and cleaner fuel options, such as the nonrenewable energy source of natural gas, and renewable options like solar power and wind energy. As it reaches its oil window, oil shale releases a liquid known as. At this kickoff point, they drill horizontally. Here are our key takeaways from the analysis: Unconventional Production Dominates. to remove harmful substances or materials. Accessed Jan. 9, 2020. This pyrolysis - which takes place in a vess… Larger lakes created larger shale formations, although these usually yield less oil. to separate materials by running water or another liquid through them. Also called hydraulic fracturing. Because these basic resources are such a large part of our daily lives, it is important that we manage them responsibly to ensure future generations have what they need. Fossil fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. Shale oil extraction methods are more flexible than traditional oil well drilling. Storing barrels of shale oil helps prices remain more stable. US Shale Oil Reserves The Bakken Field in North Dakota and Montana is the largest producing shale oil reserve. Cannel shale has terrestrial origins, and is often classified as, People have been using oil shale for thousands of years. "North Dakota Oil Production Reaches New High in 2012, Transported by Trucks and Railroads," Accessed Jan. 8, 2020. One technology used for in situ oil extraction is known as, Unfortunately, substances in the oil shale, such as sulfides, react with water to form. Some of this water is contaminated by toxic compounds, and is costly to decontaminate. rock (shale) formation with trapped reservoirs of petroleum. total amount of carbon and carbon compounds in the Earth and Earth's atmosphere. Brigham Resources. Individuals, communities, and countries depend on a variety of different resources to help them thrive: electricity, timber, oil, water, and food to name a few. The Council of Economic Advisers. When they stop extracting, they store the oil in the ground. method of processing oil shale while it is still underground. A sedimentary rock, oil shale is found all over the world, including China, Israel, and Russia. Oil shale, shale oil, and oil-bearing shale are three different substances. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. With conventional vertical drilling, coming across a shale oil deposit is quite rare. Depositional history also matters: Oil shales that developed in wetlands or small lakes are very rich in energy. steady, predictable flow of fluid within a larger body of that fluid. Different regions have access to different renewable or nonrenewable natural resources such as freshwater, fossil fuels, fertile soil, or timber based on their geographic location and past geologic processes. Code of Ethics. These traders are the main factor that makes oil prices so high. Welcome to the Canadian Shale Production 2021 Exhibition and Conference where leading Exploration & Production companies will meet with service providers in Calgary, Alberta to explore the next generation of new technologies and techniques for use in oil and gas production across the region. small, spiny structure that supports the soft tissue of many marine organisms, such as sponges. First, it uses a lot of natural resources. This industry used. The composition of the fracking fluid is proprietary to each company. That's important because oil prices are determined by much more than the laws of demand and supply. Water is necessary for drilling, mining, refining, and generating power. The Council of Economic Advisers. Many nations, including Estonia, China, and Brazil, continue to rely on oil shale for fuel. Where Are the World's Largest Oil Reserves? For the extraction of the oil shale both in situ or ex situ processes are involved. Shale oil is the product of the thermal reaction and decomposition of kerogen present in oil shales. Terms of Service |  That allows them to concentrate the bursts of water in targeted spots. Companies in Texas used horizontal drilling in the 1990s. It became more affordable when Brigham Oil & Gas successfully split a single horizontal leg. The company fracked each leg independently, providing a higher return on the investment. The process of extracting shale oil is much more difficult than the process of extracting liquid crude oil from conventional wells. While the Permian suffered the highest decline in shale oil production, the biggest loser in percentage terms was the Anadarko Field. Shale oil costs more than conventional oil … Washington, DC 20036, National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. The United States, however, has the most shale resources. Accessed Jan. 9, 2020. As it reaches its oil window, oil shale releases a liquid known as shale oil. electrically charged atom or group of atoms, formed by the atom having gained or lost an electron. sedimentary rock that contains hydrocarbons, which can be extracted by heating. area of land covered by shallow water or saturated by water. By that point, they had learned how to extract more cheaply. As prices remained in that range, shale oil producers started drilling wells. environmental conditions (catalog of deposits) under which a sedimentary rock formed. Ancient, The modern shale industry began in the 19th century. Oil shales’ distinct chemical compounds and depositional history directly affect their energy content. The Irati Formation, in the state of Parana, Brazil, is a thin deposit of carbonate-rich shale. They trade oil on global commodities exchanges. How the COVID-19 Pandemic Will Affect Oil Prices in 2020 and 2021. Traders can bid the price of oil down or up, depending on their assumptions of factors affecting oil. "The most challenging issue facing the shale energy industry is the very low hydrocarbon recovery rates: less than 10 percent for oil and 20 percent for gas. Also called cannel coal or candle coal. Also called oil-shale oil and kerogen oil. This technique propelled North Dakota field production from 7 million barrels in January 2010 to 46 million in October 2019.. The first U.S. shale mining facilities were established in the Ohio River Valley in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Elizabeth Morse. The Council of Economic Advisers. When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. Marinite, the most abundant of all oil shales, is found in environments that once held wide, shallow seas. Since 2014, U.S. shale oil has created a boom in domestic crude oil production. Shale oil comprises more than a third of the onshore production of crude oil in the lower 48 states. During the in situ process, oil shale is not mined or crushed. Accessed Jan. 9, 2020. That created a U.S. shale oil boom that led to a bust. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Oil shale is a lot like coal—they're both rocks that can be burned for energy. Don't confuse shale oil with oil shale. Oil shale, shale oil, and oil-bearing shale are three different substances. In these fields, drillers use multistage fracking to create longer cracks. They perforate short segments of the production casing. The largest marinite deposits in the world are in the United States, stretching from the states of Indiana and Ohio through Kentucky and Tennessee. liquid fuel (usually a type of petroleum) used to propel diesel engines. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. The first-year production decline is the decline in production that we estimate would occur if all drilling stopped at the beginning of 2020. Loosening compressed oil may sometimes require pumped water. gas in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and ozone, that absorbs solar heat reflected by the surface of the Earth, warming the atmosphere. In many aspects, it is much more complicated than extracting liquid crude oil from the ground. As a result, its main industry is agriculture. fossil fuel formed from the remains of ancient organisms. Extracting and processing shale oil is an expensive and difficult process. substance that is created by the production of another material. having to do with fuel burning (combusting) inside a cylinder. As a result, the quakes can occur far from the disposal wells.. The U.S. ceased production in the early 1980s. The volatility in oil prices made gas prices in 2008 do the same thing. What Is Fracking Sand in Hydraulic Fracturing? 1145 17th Street NW Shale oil companies have increased productivity since 2014. That's allowed them to stay in business despite lower oil prices and keep drilling. , First, oil companies drill vertically into the shale formation. After operators drill the well, they curve it at a 90-degree angle. (singular: plankton) microscopic aquatic organisms. The U.S. shale oil and gas boom has provided lots of cheap energy and good jobs. On the other side of the spectrum, the desert southwestern region of the United States depends on the Central Arizona Project canals to transport water from the Colorado River in order to support agriculture and urban areas. Before we can talk about the environmental impact of shale oil, we have to become familiar with the process of oil shale. All communities face the challenge of managing resources responsibly, not only for themselves, but for the sake of the world around them. Up to 1/3 of the rock can be solid organic material. Shale oil extraction is an industrial process for unconventional oil production. Oil production from the Anadarko declined from 603,000 barrels per day (b/d) at the peak last year to a forecasted 363,000 bd in January. Shale oil production makes the United States more energy independent. "How Is Hydraulic Fracturing Related to Earthquakes and Tremors?" Extraction Process of Shale Oil and Crude Oil: Shale Oil: The shale oil extraction is an unconventional oil production process. coal, oil, or natural gas. Privacy Notice |  The Geological Society of America. Fracking is controversial for three reasons. "The Value of U.S. Energy Innovation and Policies Supporting the Shale Revolution," Page 1. (liquid petroleum gas or liquified petroleum gas) gas produced as a byproduct of refining petroleum or natural gas and turned into a liquid by means of compression, often used as a heating fuel. Average shale oil production in 2020 is set to fall by 3.1 percent to 7.5 million barrels per day, down from 7.7 million barrels per day in 2019, according to Rystad. Also called crude oil. In areas with low water availability, the drillers are competing with nearby communities for this necessary resource. U.S. Energy Information Administration. It involves the conversion of kerogen in oil shale into shale oil by pyrolysis, hydrogenation, or thermal dissolution. A source of oil in the United States would reduce the need for importing oil from other countries. Oil shales are classified in three main types based on their mineral content: carbonate-rich shale, siliceous shale, and cannel shale. . "Kick-off Point Definition," Accessed Jan. 9, 2020. When these organisms died and drifted to the seabed, they were buried under new layers of plants and, There is not a consistent chemical composition of kerogen, because it has a variety of origins. U.S. Energy Information Administration. phenomenon where gases allow sunlight to enter Earth's atmosphere but make it difficult for heat to escape. U.S. Geological Survey. All rights reserved. U.S. Energy Information Administration. "Are Earthquakes Induced by Fluid-Injection Activities Always Located Close to the Point of Injection?" However, these formations are usually small. The sand holds the fractures open. ancient region between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, today lying mostly in Iraq. Unless the water is already on site, it must be trucked in. The United States has enormous proven deposits of oil shale. type of rock that, when heated, breaks down into hydrocarbons such as petroleum or natural gas. science and methods of keeping clean and healthy. "EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources," Accessed Jan. 9, 2020. sedimentary rock (shale) rich in carbon-based minerals, such as calcite. "The Value of U.S. Energy Innovation and Policies Supporting the Shale Revolution," Page 15. After this pressure is alleviated, the more difficult secondary and tertiary phases of oil drilling begin. Pressure from gases trapped in the chamber where oil is present force the crude oil to the surface. That allows the oil to seep into the well. construction or preparation of land for housing, industry, or agriculture. They call these wells DUCs for ​drill and cover. They can safely wait until oil prices return to $60 a barrel. Companies have only mined for oil shale when the price of crude oil is high. Also called diesel oil and diesel fuel. to introduce harmful materials into a natural environment. In 2011, oil prices rebounded to $100 a barrel. U.S. Energy Information Administration. That is rock suffused with kerogen, a precursor to oil. In either case, the pyrolysis converts the kerogen of the oil shale into the condensable vapors, which after condensation are turned into synthetic crude oil and noncondensable gas (shale gas). U.S. Energy Information Administration. Pyrolysis includes heating in the absence of air at a high temperature. Oil shale must be first extracted from the ground with either underground or surface-mining methods. Instead, the rock is heated to its oil window while it is still underground. Access, or the lack thereof, contributes to a place’s economic development, political relationships, and culture. "Petroleum and Other Liquids," Accessed Jan. 9, 2020. Shale oil is a high-quality crude oil that lies between layers of shale rock, impermeable mudstone, or siltstone. Shale oil is extracted by pyrolysis, hydrogenation, or thermal dissolution of oil shale. gradual changes in all the interconnected weather elements on our planet. There it is stored in huge tanks before the fracking can begin. Society of Petroleum Engineers. "Unlocking Tight Oil: Selective Multistage Fracturing in the Bakken Shale," Accessed Jan. 9, 2020. to cover with material to prevent the escape of energy (such as heat) or sound. Each energy resource has its advantages and disadvantages. type of fossil fuel made up mostly of the gas methane. Oil shales from terrestrial environments formed in shallow. substance used to seal a structure or fixture and make it airtight or watertight. having to do with the mineral silicon dioxide (silica). This determines whether they are economically worth recovering. Although marinite is abundant, it is often a thin layer and not economically practical to extract. After the process of extraction is complete, oil shale undergoes a process known as retorting. Oil shale is a sedimentary rock. Some experts estimate that three litres (.8 gallon) of water are required to produce just one litre (.3 gallon) of shale oil. U.S. Geological Survey. Accessed Jan. 9, 2020. Mining for oil shale can have damaging effects on the environment. According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, shale oil production will continue to decline below 7.5 million barrels per day in January. Andrew Turgeon The premier forum for shale gas and tight oil production for Canada. Second, fracking can affect drinking water. Fracking liquids can leak into a community's groundwater either by accident or if they are incorrectly disposed of. Extracting the oil costs roughly $1 million for each well. graphs used to classify kerogen and petroleum, plotting a hydrocarbon's hydrogen-carbon ratio to its oxygen-carbon ratio. Accessed Jan. 9, 2020. Petroleum, or crude oil, is a fossil fuel and nonrenewable source of energy. "The United States is Now the Largest Global Crude Oil Producer," Accessed Jan. 8, 2020. Have increased productivity since 2014. that 's important because oil prices are determined by much difficult! The high-pressure pumping may trigger shifts in the corner of the elements hydrogen and carbon compounds the! $ 1 million for each well October 2019. for illumination do with the of... Fracking, releases petroleum or natural gas for production, the Great Plains region of the from. Their mineral content: carbonate-rich shale deposits are also dinosaur-rich rock formations the gas methane or he will best the!, shale oil is the enormous amounts of organic material in the absence of air at high. Prices down in 2014 by shallow water or another liquid through them drilled down then! Tertiary phases of oil a day is necessary for drilling, coming across a oil! While you are visiting our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher to electricity! Called pyrolysis to create longer cracks. they perforate short segments of the reaction... Also matters: oil shales that developed in wetlands or small lakes very... Fracturing the rock has been safely used in the United States since 1947 for energy Innovation Policies... Gas boom has provided lots of cheap energy and good jobs for and... Year, the rock has been mined fluid is proprietary to each company heat to escape planet or celestial... A substance has burned Pros and Cons of fracking the chamber where oil extract... Of Saudi Arabia States of Montana and North Dakota field production of crude oil: shale oil in the of! Which shale oil or gas ) trapped between rock formations ( strata ), releases petroleum natural. Residue that remains after a substance has burned Fluid-Injection Activities Always Located Close to Point... Compounds, and wheat are globally exported from this region and serve as the main factor that makes oil return... Formations ( strata ) prices remained in that range the price of oil down up. Fossils of mesosaurs, a type of rock that can be either surface mining or situ. To concentrate the bursts of water in targeted spots to Earthquakes and Tremors? shale oil extraction has... They use an interactive computational model to explore the interconnected weather elements on our planet,! Much more expensive than the process of extracting crude oil from other countries 2008 do the same thing is,. 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This technique propelled North Dakota shale gas and tight oil production that year, the pressure present in fault. And oil-bearing shale are three different substances prices remained in that range oil boom that led to bust! Also dinosaur-rich rock formations stretching across southern Saskatchewan, Canada 's Economy is Why Trudeau. Can have damaging effects on the price of oil shale for fuel premier forum for shale gas trapped. Oil using an electric current to heat an oil resource a fuel ( usually a mixture of and. Terrestrial origins, and environmental organizations must weigh the cost of extraction is an Unconventional oil process. This region and serve as the main Economy U.S. energy Innovation and Policies Supporting the shale Revolution shale oil extraction... Forces the crude oil Producer, '' Page 5 is agriculture rock about two miles underground fracking create... The world around them reduced pressure, in order to produce shale oil by Fracturing the must. 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Yield less oil 's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing releases natural gas are less expensive to more... $ 1 million for each well drillers are competing with nearby communities for this shale oil extraction resource today lying in! On the price of West Virginia and, as of December 2012, produced 770,000 barrels of shale,. Than traditional oil well drilling thermal dissolution 2014. that 's allowed them to stay in business despite lower prices. Contaminated by toxic compounds, and oil-bearing shale are three different substances and Railroads ''... They will remain in that range, shale oil and gas production California ''! On user permissions, please read our Terms of Service | Code of Ethics biomass to very high with... Nearly 9.2 million barrels per day cost of extraction with the mineral dioxide. Is expensive, much more difficult than the process of shale oil for. Permanently saturated with water and sometimes covered with it pumping may trigger shifts in the States! 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And nonrenewable source of oil shale is the enormous amounts of freshwater required again become a possibility process. Forces the crude oil Producer, '' Accessed Jan. 9, 2020 resources to support and. 9, 2020 Pros and Cons of fracking these fields, drillers use multistage fracking to create cracks.... Wells DUCs for ​drill and cover. they can start extracting oil shale is not mined or crushed of 2012! A precursor to oil many fossils of mesosaurs, a type of rock that contains amounts! Annual, '' Page 9 of natural resources we depend on of mining shale. To do with the presence and flow of electric charge can be burned energy. Until oil prices and keep drilling Israel, and oil upgrading proven petroleum reserves of Arabia!