If dohboi et al didn't use the stuff then Rockman wouldn't have a job looking for it...nor would anyone else.
Since Exxon knew that the burning of fossil fuels leads to dangerous climate change as early as the 1970's (per internal Exxon memos and presentations), then they also knew that what they had already found couldn't be extracted and sold, lest it be burned and do irreparable harm through dangerous climate change.
The only reasons to keep looking for more, would be to hide that they knew, and expand their known reserves to defraud investors, and force the taxpayers to reimburse them for what they were forced to leave in the ground.
Knowing what they already knew, they should have stopped looking for more, long ago. Oil exploration has been a fraudulent activity, since they knew they couldn't extract and sell what they already had, without destroying the planet through runaway climate change.
The Government also knew back then, since President Carter was pushing for alternative energy, even putting solar panels on the White House as an example.
That is why James Baker, before the election, conspired with Israel to provide Iran with American spare parts for their military equipment in exchange for holding on to the hostages until after Carter was defeated in the elections, with the promise of reimbursement and enhanced aid to Israel after Reagan entered the White House. (All proved and documented during Iran-Contra. Likud was afraid Carter would push for a two-state solution for the Palestinian problem in a second term and resented the arm-twisting at Camp David.)
Reagan's first act was to tear out the solar panels, as an act of spite and triumph for the Oil Industry and their political minions.
Powerful forces were at work to keep us on this path even back then. The Carter Administration was the hinge point, the moment of truth, and Evil triumphed.
"For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and provide for it." - Patrick Henry
The level of injustice and wrong you endure is directly determined by how much you quietly submit to. Even to the point of extinction.