[JFlorence]

Hi,

My name is Joe Florence, an energy and climate researcher in DC. I'm trying to track down the most reputable data series available for worldwide oil discoveries by year from 1950-the present for a book that my organization is writing.

I’m familiar with the Hubbertian definition of “discovery” as all the cumulative oil produced in a given year plus the known reserves as of that same year and Ken Deffeyes’ differentiation between ‘discoveries” and “hits,” but it seems that presenting data in this way might confuse lay readers. What we’re after is how much additional oil prospectors have “found” each year from 1950-2006. It seems that such data could be presented in several different forms, and if you could also recommend a preferred way to present this concept and these data, I would also appreciate hearing it.

It seems that there are some data available through the USGS but that its integrity is questionable.

Thanks to anyone who can help - Joe