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During the July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002 period, the Committee on Resource Evaluation (CORE) maintained its traditional high level of activity. The Committee interacts with and provides input to U.S. Government and other appropriate agencies in performing assessments and monitors the status of U.S. and international hydrocarbon resource supply and demand issues.

On July 1, 2001 Naresh Kumar succeeded Dr. Ben Hare as Chairman of the Committee. Ben had led the Committee almost since its inception more than six years earlier. Under Ben Hare, this group became a high-profile source for data, information and expertise on Resource Evaluations for the AAPG members and its leadership. Ben was rewarded with a Distinguished Service Award in 2001 at the AAPG Annual Convention for this contribution.

Two of the Committee members prepared testimonies (with the help of the rest of the Committee and others) for the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. On April 18, 2002, Charlie Mankin delivered testimony entitled, "Resource Assessments as a Policy Tool: Balancing Society’s Needs". This testimony was given in response to a report by the Rand Corporation which questioned the assessment methodology used by various government agencies. The presentation was well received as evidenced by more than three pages of follow-up questions received by Charlie. The answers to these questions were submitted in early May. Earl Ritchie prepared another testimony entitled, "Minerals Management Service’s Five Year Offshore Leasing Plan: Impact on Forecast Natural Gas Production". Unfortunately this hearing was canceled but Earl’s text is expected to be published as an article in the AAPG Explorer in the near future.

The Committee held its mid-year meeting in Dallas on December 10, 2001. A presentation from the Energy Information Agency reviewed the outlook for oil and gas supply and demand for the United States. This presentation highlighted for our group that if the nation increased its use of gas significantly, the resources to do so- capital, equipment, manpower, and access (to resource-rich basins) would have to be significantly increased. At this meeting, our committee also decided to convey to the AAPG leadership the serious need to communicate resource supply and demand issues to the public at large in "layman’s" terms. The Public Outreach Committee has been charged with the mission of educating the public. Bill Pollard of our Committee acts as a liaison with the Public Outreach Committee.

The Annual Meeting of the Committee was held in conjunction with the Annual Convention on March 9, 2002. A presentation on Russian oil and gas resources by Ray Leonard, Vice President of Exploration for Yukos Oil, and a Committee member, highlighted the immense potential of former Soviet Union countries. Ray proposed a review by CORE of the methodology used in the Yukos study. In anticipation, Naresh Kumar has identified a subcommittee to review this study in conjunction with our mid-year meeting, currently scheduled for November 18, 2002 in Denver. Some of the other ongoing efforts include:

• Ben Hare has prepared a position paper on Atlantic OCS resources. It is under review by the Committee membership and the Government Affairs Committee (GAC) of the Division of Professional Affairs. CORE continues to work closely with the GAC on all issues of mutual concern. We will submit the paper to the Executive Committee for their final approval in the near future.
• Richard Nehring is developing a set of guidelines for what constitutes a scientific and credible resource assessment. The Committee has reviewed an early version of these guidelines. Once completed and adopted by the Committee, we expect to use these guidelines in reviewing methodologies used in resource assessments by various agencies.
• CORE continues to work collaboratively with the SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) on resource definitions and promoting their consistent usage throughout the industry. Ken Mallon has been serving as the liaison between CORE and the SPE.
• Our effort to upgrade and update our website under Earl Ritchie continues. We hope to have a new version of the website fully functional shortly.

The Committee currently has a membership of 21, representing industry (majors, independents and consultants, including senior international managers) and government (USGS and MMS). Among its membership are three AAPG past presidents and the Director of the Potential Gas Committee at the Colorado School of Mines. Earl Ritchie served as the Vice Chair of the Committee for 2001-2002. The wealth of experience and expertise in the Committee has allowed us to have credibility within the scientific community, government agencies performing resource assessments, and the Congress.