The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has revealed that estimate the Outer Continental Shelf still holds a century-worth of undiscovered but recoverable oil and natural gas resources. This was published in the 2026 National Assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources, an estimate of the undiscovered, technically and economically recoverable oil and natural gas resources outside of known oil and gas fields on the OCS. The National Assessment, published every five years, represents BOEM’s current understanding of the distribution of undiscovered oil and gas resources on the OCS and helps identify opportunities for additional oil and gas exploration and development on the OCS. Using a play-based assessment methodology, the National Assessment estimates a mean undiscovered technically recoverable resource of 65.80bn barrels of oil and 218.43 tcf of natural gas in the Outer Continental Shelf. Based on current production trends, these undiscovered resources could support 100 or more years of energy production from the shelf. The findings are derived from analysing each geologic play across the Outer Continental Shelf and assigning a probability for the existence of undiscovered oil and gas resources for individual plays. Play results are then aggregated to regional results and ultimately to a total Outer Continental Shelf estimate. “The Outer Continental Shelf holds tremendous resource potential. This report provides the foundation for decisions that will ensure affordable energy and robust energy security for generations of Americans,” said Matt Giacona, BOEM acting director. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsUnited States