The estimates of the magnitude of petroleum resources must be based on studies of the geology of the sedimentary basins, and on the relationships between the occurrence of oil and the type, architecture and geological history of the basin. The integral technique of prediction is the most rational to use for estimating the duration of given oil resources. A very realistic estimate can be made by taking into consideration certain physical and technical limitations. These methods are applicable to any nonrenewable resource, anywhere in the world. An estimate of the magnitude and duration of the petroleum resources of Venezuela is given as an example.
Les estimations de l'importance de ressources pétrolières doivent être fondées sur des études de la géologie des bassins de sédimentation, et d'autre part, sur la parenté entre l'occurrence du pétrole et le type, l'architecture et l'histoire géologique du bassin. La technique de prédiction employant des intégrales est la plus rationnelle à utiliser pour l'estimation de la durée des ressources pétrolières données. Une estimation réaliste peut se faire en prenant en considération certaines limitations physiques et techniques. Ces méthodes sont applicables à n'importe quelle ressource non-renouvelable où que se soit dans le monde. On cite comme exemple une évaluation de l'importance et de la durée des ressources pétrolières au Vénézuéla.
Petroleum Resources Production Proved Reserves Cumulative Discoveries Supplementary Reserves Coefficient of Supplementary Reserves Undiscovered Reserves Rate of Production dt dQR dt - Rate of Increase of Proved Reserves dQD Rate of Discovery dt The petroleum industry occupies a pre-eminent place in the economies of most of the countries of the world. Oil influences all branches of their activities. Therefore, it is very important to those nations-whether they are petroleum-exporting or wether they are trying to develop their own reserves - to estimate their oil resources.
The term "resources" will undoubtedly be used many times at this Congress. It is considered appropriate, therefore, to present a paper giving a definition of the term "petroleum resources" and methods of estimating their magnitude and their duration.
The principal usage of the estimations presented in this report are in long-range planning, as for instance, by the planning boards of a Government when making their five-year (or seven-year) plans, and the twenty-year or longer estimates of capital * MartÍnez, AnÍbal R., Venezuela, Geologist, M. S., Stanford University, California, Chief of the Enforcement Department of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. 133 requirements and fiscal income. The esti
