Kerogen consists of a variety of organic materials, including dead plants, algae, and other microorganisms, that have been compressed and heated by geological processes.   It is defined as hydrocarbons that are insoluble in normal solvents that yield liquid or gaseous petroleum when heated.   

In short, kerogen amounts to fossilized organic matter that has been buried and subjected to high temperatures and pressures over millions of years, resulting in various chemical reactions and transformations that created Crude Oil and Natural Gas.

Kerogen is believed to be the most abundant source of organic compounds on earth, exceeding the total organic content of living matter by 10,000-fold.  So how much is 10,000 fold of all living matter?

It is believed prior to Crude Oil extraction,  there were 550 gigatons (1 gigaton = 1,000,000,000 matric tons) of biomass carbon on Earth, sooo, 10,000 x 550 gigatons would account for 10,000 fold.

At 2022’s end, the United States had about 65 billion barrels of crude oil in proven reserves.

In 2023, oil production in the United States reached 4.3 billion barrels.

In 2024, oil production in the United States reached 4.6 billion barrels; establishing an average of 4.45 Billion Barrels per year.

At 2024’s end, the United States had 55.25 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves according to World Atlas, a leading petroleum industry publication with worldwide coverage.   55.25 ÷ 4.45 = 12.42 years of proven US oil reserves remaining!

At 2024’s end, the World had 1,730 billion barrels of crude oil in proven reserves, according to the Oil & Gas Journal who has a primary function to present a comprehensive overview of global crude oil reserves with headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  

And because the world uses approximately 35 Billion barrels of crude oil each year, the globe can maintain it’s addiction to crude oil for several more decades.  Though, you can expect some variation to this computation: 1730 ÷ 35 = 49.4 years of proven reserves as we go into year 2025.

Point being, when considering the aforementioned reserve estimate the US Crude Oil reserve will be totally depleted in less than 13 years; meaning the US will be entirely dependent upon the remaining oil producing nations for its crude oil needs of about 20.25 million barrels a day  which totals around 7.39 Billion barrels every year for nearly 37 (36.98) years.  Then, alas, everyone will be without oil and likely most of these products that just happen to be made with Crude oil: Ink, Floor Wax, Ballpoint Pens, Football Cleats, Sweaters, Insecticides, Bicycle Tires, Nail Polish, Fishing lures, Dresses, Golf Bags, Perfumes, Shoe Polish, Motorcycle Helmets, Caulking, Petroleum Jelly, Transparent Tape and dozens more!

On the other hand, OPEC had a somewhat “dimmer” view in regard to Crude Oil reserves as is reflected with the Annual Statistical Bulletin (ASB) Report at ‘2023’s end; 2024’s adjusted recovery totals are shown below drawing: