Explore the Global Oil and Gas Extraction Tracker

The Global Oil and Gas Extraction Tracker (GOGET) collects asset-level data on oil and gas extraction areas (fields) globally. Explore the data below, pan through our interactive map, and download the dataset.

No new fields

Scenarios compatible with limiting warming to 1.5 degrees show that demand can be met without developing any new oil and gas fields. Further, emissions from existing oil and gas production projects push well past remaining 1.5 degree carbon budgets. Therefore, all new oil and gas fields are incompatible with limiting warming to the levels agreed upon under the Paris agreement.

However, this has not stopped oil and gas promoters from exploring and licensing new fields. In 2024, at least 9.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent (bboe) were discovered, and 3.8 bboe have been approved for development. 

At least 90 discoveries and 80 projects that fly directly in the face of the no new fields warning have moved forward since 2022 and promoters are targeting at least 76 others before the end of the decade. Notable examples include:

Where discoveries are occurring

Most 2024 discovered volumes are located within historical producing countries, but most 2023 discoveries were in countries with little to no production.

Where project sanctions are occurring

In 2023 and 2024, Guyana, the UAE, the United States and Libya had the most new projects approved by resource volumes.

Oil majors and national oil companies keep pushing for new fields

All company types—majors, national oil companies (NOCs), and independents—are searching for and sanctioning new fields, but NOCs and oil majors dominate. NOCs are defined as companies that are set up by and given a mandate from their home country’s government to exploit natural resources within a legally defined role. Majors are large publicly traded companies such as BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ENI, ExxonMobil, Shell and TotalEnergies.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), upstream oil and gas investment has been steadily growing since 2021.

Approvals and sanctionings, in this context, refer to significant actions taken toward a project moving toward its development. These actions include: a final investment decision (FID) being reached, a field development plan (FDP) being approved by the government, preparing an final environmental impact assessment (EIA), or similar procedures when legally required. All of which are good indicators that a company is moving forward with a project and that those projects are “new fields.”

Oil and gas majors and INOCs are responsible for the majority of the resources that were approved, with 42.5% and 24.2% respectively. New field developments often “are risky and complex processes,” so companies, regardless of type, will often share ownership to spread out risks. Reserves below are split by equity stake.

And it’s not just new fields, existing production also needs to be addressed

Emissions from existing oil and gas production infrastructure could emit double the remaining 1.5 degree celsius carbon budget. Existing oil and gas production needs to fall by at least 65% by 2050. In 2030, governments are planning to produce 29% more oil, and 82% more gas than global levels consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C. By 2050, that gap widens to 260% more oil and 210% more gas than the 1.5 degree celsius pathway. Beyond global climate concerns, there are also localized impacts. The extraction and combustion of fossil fuels causes air pollution leading to an estimated 5 million premature human deaths per year, and the destruction of ecosystems.

Download data from the Global Oil and Gas Extraction Tracker here