Question

Petroleum present in sedimentary rocks of a region can only be used when such regions are drilled out and put into use. Such petroleum reserves fall under the category of _____________.

• A. Actual resources
• B. Potential resources
• C. Stock resources
• D. Reserve resources

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The petroleum reserves described fall under the category of Potential resources.

Additional Context:

• Resource Classification:
  • Potential Resources:
    • Exist in a region but not yet utilized
    • Require technological/economic feasibility for extraction
    • Example: Undrilled petroleum in sedimentary rocks
  • Other Categories:
    • Actual Resources: Surveyed and currently exploited (e.g., active oil fields)
    • Stock Resources: Technologically inaccessible currently (e.g., methane hydrates)
    • Reserve Resources: Subset of actual resources that can be profitably extracted
• Petroleum Specifics:
  • Forms in source rocks under heat/pressure over millions of years
  • Must migrate to reservoir rocks to be recoverable
  • Becomes "actual" only after discovery and development
• Economic Considerations:
  • Potential → Reserve transition depends on:
    • Extraction technology advancement
    • Market prices and production costs
    • Government policies
• Global Examples:
  • Potential: Arctic offshore deposits
  • Actual: Saudi Ghawar Field
  • Reserves: Economically viable portions of actual resources

Correct Answer: (2) Potential resources.