Utah Poised to Lead in Energy Production A recent U.S. Department of Energy survey conservatively estimates that recoverable oil from oil shale in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming totals more than 800 billion barrels. The Oil Shale and Tar Sands Development Act, which I have worked hard to enact, would pave the way to begin harnessing this untapped resource in energy rich Utah and surrounding states so that we can increase jobs and lower energy costs.