The governors of Mississippi and Alabama say the two states will partner to study oil sands resources.
Oil sands is a sandy mixture found below the surface containing bitumen. After extracting the sand, the bitumen can be transformed into crude oil that can be refined.
A news release says Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley announced the partnership Saturday while speaking to the Southern States Energy Board during a meeting in Mobile, Ala.
The news release says the governors signed a memorandum of understanding that commissions the assessment of oil sands in the states.
The governors say that the Southern States Energy Board will team up with various agencies from Mississippi and Alabama to conduct the assessment.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.