The Western Energy Cooridor

How A Region's Resources Could Power the World

Source: Montana Department of Commerce

The energy resources concentrated along the Rocky Mountains and northern plains in Canada and the United States (U.S.) are world class, as measured by their diversity, magnitude, and longevity.

This area, informally referred to as the Western Energy Corridor (WEC), is strategic to meeting the increasing energy demand in Canada, the U.S., and internationally. These energy resources, collectively, also provide a foundation for regional economic development, including a platform for moving the region's energy products up the value chain.

To provide a foundation and stimulus for a bi-national regional dialogue, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) created this document with input from representatives of participating states and provinces. Further data was gathered from reliable internet and print sources and compiled to provide an overview of energy resources within the WEC.

In 2009, WEC oil production was approximately 2.3 million barrels per day, with continued production growth anticipated from the Alberta oil sands and the Bakken Formation. Proven reserves, dominated by Alberta oil sands, currently place the region third in the world with approximately 170 billion barrels.

Undeveloped potential oil resources within the WEC are estimated at over 4 trillion barrels (in-place). This includes oil shale reserves in the Green River Formation that spans parts of Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah.

Full Report: http://commerce.mt.gov/content/Energ ... orridor.pdf