ABSTRACT
Although petroleum geologists differ in their estimates of potential petroleum resources in the non-OPEC LDCs, and particularly in the OIDCs, estimates made by the World Bank staff and by the U.S. Department of Energy indicate ultimately recoverable oil resources of five to ten times the present estimated proved oil reserves of the OIDCs. Although these potential oil reserves are heavily concentrated in the oil-producing OIDCs, there are a number of other OIDCs with favorable oil prospects. There is substantial evidence that a considerably higher level of exploration activity is warranted in most, if not all, OIDCs.
