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Proven reserves (also called measured reserves, 1P, and reserves) is a measure of fossil fuel energy reserves, such as oil and gas reserves and coal reserves. It is defined as the "quantity of energy sources estimated with reasonable certainty, from the analysis of geologic and engineering data, to be recoverable from well established or known reservoirs with the existing equipment and under the existing operating conditions."^[1] A reserve is considered proven if it is probable that at least 90% of the resource is recoverable by economically profitable means.

Operating conditions are taken into account when determining if a reserve is classified as proven. Operating conditions include operational break-even price, regulatory and contractual approvals, without which the reserve cannot be classified as proven. Price changes therefore can have a large impact on the classification of proven reserves. Regulatory and contractual conditions may change, and also affect the amount of proven reserves. If a reserve's resources can be recovered using current technology but is not economically profitable it is considered "technically recoverable" but cannot be considered a proven reserve. Reserves less than 90% recoverable but more than 50% are considered "probable reserves" and below 50% are "possible reserves".

Numbered terms

The engineering term P90 refers to 90 percent engineering probability, is a commonly accepted specific definition by Society of Petroleum Engineers, it does not take into account anything except technical concerns. Therefore, it is different from the business term which does take into account current break-even profitability, and regulatory and contractual approval, but is considered a very rough equivalent. The definition is certainly not universal. Energy Watch Group uses a different definition, P95.

More terms

Disregarding economics, the proper engineering term for the total technologically extractable amount is the Producible fraction, which is easily confused with the business term proven reserves. However, the purely engineering term is also misleading in that squeezing the last bits of fossil fuel out follows the diminishing returns and at some point is so costly that it becomes highly impractical, as seen on a bell curve, which is why measures like P90 and P95 were created. The term proven reserves is further subdivided into proved developed reserves and proved undeveloped reserves. Note that it does not include unproven reserves, which is broken down into probable reserves and possible reserves.

These reserve categories are totaled up by the measures 1P, 2P, and 3P, which are inclusive of all reserves types:

"1P reserves" = proven reserves (both proved developed reserves + proved undeveloped reserves).
"2P reserves" = 1P (proven reserves) + probable reserves, hence "proved AND probable."^[2]
"3P reserves" = the sum of 2P (proven reserves + probable reserves) + possible reserves, all 3Ps "proven AND probable AND possible."^[3]^[4]^[5]

New proven reserves are commonly added by new field discoveries. Reserves growth also commonly occurs in previously existing fields, as the characteristics of the reservoir become better understood, as fields are extended laterally, or new oil and gas reservoirs are found in existing fields. Reserve growth may also take place due to technological and economic changes.

Russian reserve categories

In Russia, reserves categories A, B, and C correspond roughly to developed producing reserves, undeveloped reserves with approved development, and discovered resources without a firm plan to develop yet. The designation ABC corresponds to estimated recoverable reserves.^[6]

Reserve evaluations, valuations and certifications

Oil companies employ specialist, independent, reserve valuation consultants - such as Gaffney, Cline & Associates, Sproule, Miller and Lents, Ltd., DeGolyer and MacNaughton, Ryder Scott, Netherland, Sewell & Associates Inc. (NSAI), Lloyd's Register (LR Archived 2019-04-15 at the Wayback Machine), Evolution Resources, Cawley, Gillespie & Associates Inc. (CG&A) and others - to provide third party reports as part of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) SEC filings and SPE Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS) for other Stockmarket listings. On December 30, 2009, recognising advances in exploration and valuation technology, the SEC allowed 2P probable and 3P possible reserves to be reported, along with 1P proved reserves, though oil companies also have to verify the independence of third party consultants. Since investors view 1P reserves with much greater importance than 2P or 3P reserves, oil companies seek to convert 2P and 3P reserves into 1P reserves.^[7]

References

^ "proved reserves". businessdictionary.com. Archived from the original on 2020-08-07.
^ Petroleum review: 62 p732-743 Institute of Petroleum (Great Britain) - 2008 "The field is estimated to hold some 66mn barrels of proved and probable (2P) oil reserves and 143mn barrels of proved, probable and possible (3P) reserves. "
^ Offshore Oil Industry Lexicon 2-1 3P RESERVES Proven, Probable plus Possible reserves (3P) are those reserves that, to a low degree of certainty (10% confidence), are recoverable. There is relatively high risk associated with these reserves.
^ Vivek Chandra Fundamentals of natural gas: an international perspective 2006 p20 "Probable reserves are unproved reserves that analysis of geological and engineering data suggests are likely to be ... exceed the sum of proved plus probable plus possible reserves, also known as "P + Probable + Possible = 3P" reserves. "
^ Energy, Environment and Development p55 José Goldemberg, Oswaldo Lucon - 2009 "3P): reserves that have about 10 per cent probability of exploitation, under favourable circumstances."
^ Zabrodin, Dmitry (2015-07-16). "New Russian reserves classification system introduces economic limits" (PDF). Reservoir Solutions. Ryder Scott. p. 9. Retrieved 2022-08-24. The new Russian Federation classification system for petroleum reserves (RF-2013) has introduced the concept of economic limits. The system, which was approved in November 2013 by the Ministry of Natural Resources, will go into effect Jan. 1, 2016. [..] In the new system, discovered fields are classified into two major groups—Fields under Exploration and Fields under Development according to maturity level.
^ Gianna Bern Investing in Energy: A Primer on the Economics of the Energy Industry 2011 p55 "Similarly, producers will try to convert their 2P reserves into 1P reserves by virtue of the certification process, which we will ... Bankers, investors, and analysts view 1P reserves with much greater importance than 2P or 3P reserves. ..."