Which type of reserves is recoverable after development or large investment?

• A. Proved Reserves
• B. Reserves
• C. Undeveloped Reserves
• D. Contingent Resources

Answer: (C)

Undeveloped reserves are volumes that are already proven but not yet developed; they can be recovered after the needed development work and substantial investment—like drilling new wells or building facilities—is in place. They sit in the proved category but require capital and time to bring them into production, unlike reserves that are already producible with existing infrastructure. Contingent resources aren’t yet proven to be recoverable under current conditions, and the broad term “reserves” doesn’t specify the additional development required.