Eduqas A-Level Geography A110QS
Coastal LandscapesLandscape
Glaciated LandscapesLandscape
Changing Places
Water and Carbon Cycles
Global Migration
Global Governance of the Oceans
Tectonic Hazards
EcosystemsContemporary theme
Economic Growth and Challenge: IndiaContemporary theme
Economic Growth and Challenge: ChinaContemporary theme
Development in an African ContextContemporary theme
Energy Challenges and DilemmasContemporary theme
Weather and ClimateContemporary theme
Geographical Skills
Energy Challenges and Dilemmas
Fossil fuel stocks, reserves and their global distribution
- 3 things to know
- Component 3 Section B
Overview
Proven reserves, reserves-to-production ratio and why fossil fuel deposits are so unevenly distributed.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Define proven reserves.
What is the reserves-to-production ratio?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Distinguish a resource from a reserve.
Model answer
A resource is the total quantity of a fuel believed to exist in the Earth's crust. A reserve is the part that can be extracted profitably at current prices and technology.
- 2
Define proven reserves.
Model answer
Proven reserves are quantities that geological and engineering data show can be recovered with reasonable certainty. Recovery must also be economic under existing conditions.
- 3
What is the reserves-to-production ratio?
Model answer
The reserves-to-production ratio divides remaining reserves by the current annual rate of production. The result gives the number of years reserves would last at that rate.
- 4
Explain why a reserve figure can rise even as a fuel is extracted.
Model answer
A higher price makes deposits worth extracting that were previously uneconomic. Exploration and improved recovery technology also convert resources into reserves.
- 5
Which countries hold the largest proven oil reserves?
Model answer
Venezuela and Saudi Arabia hold the largest proven crude oil reserves. Canada, Iran and Iraq complete the leading group.
- 6
Why does Venezuela top the oil reserve table despite low output?
Model answer
Venezuela's reserves are mostly extra-heavy crude in the Orinoco Belt. The oil is costly to upgrade, and underinvestment has cut production far below capacity.
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