Traditional, Renewable, and Emerging
We provide the Nation with publicly available assessments of diverse geologic energy resources.
We provide the Nation with publicly available assessments of diverse geologic energy resources.
Energy Waste Science
We supply science about the wastes produced during energy production and ways of repurposing them.
We supply science about the wastes produced during energy production and ways of repurposing them.
The Energy-Water Nexus
We inform decisions at the intersection of water and energy resource development.
We inform decisions at the intersection of water and energy resource development.
Energy Security and Sustainability
We deliver science needed to plan a secure and sustainable energy economy.
We deliver science needed to plan a secure and sustainable energy economy.
Energy Resources Program
From transportation to electricity, energy resources are critical to keep the Nation running. We provide actionable science and tools to support decision-making related to all aspects of the energy resource lifecycle.
Our work includes assessing domestic and international oil, gas, geothermal and other geologic energy resources.
Our Data
Our Data
Explore our data about a broad array of energy resources and the environmental and societal impacts of their full life cycle.
Our Science
Our Science
Click each topic below to explore our research and impact.
News
USGS releases assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in Woodford and Barnett shales
USGS releases assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in Woodford and Barnett shales
USGS releases assessment of undiscovered gas resources in SW Wyoming’s Mesaverde Group and Lance Formation
USGS releases assessment of undiscovered gas resources in SW Wyoming’s Mesaverde Group and Lance Formation
USGS releases assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources under Santa Barbara County, California
USGS releases assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources under Santa Barbara County, California
Publications
Inference of pattern-based geological CO2 sequestration and oil recovery potential in a commingled main pay and residual oil zone CO2-EOR flood Inference of pattern-based geological CO2 sequestration and oil recovery potential in a commingled main pay and residual oil zone CO2-EOR flood
Several detailed studies have shown that residual oil zones (ROZs) can present significant resources for additional hydrocarbon recovery as well as subsurface carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration via enhanced oil recovery by injecting CO2 (CO2-EOR). Field development strategies included new wells drilled dedicated to main pay zones (MPZ) and ROZs, or existing wells in MPZs deepened to ROZs...
Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in the Santos Basin, Campos Basin, and Espírito Santo Basin provinces of Brazil, 2024 Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in the Santos Basin, Campos Basin, and Espírito Santo Basin provinces of Brazil, 2024
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 10.4 billion barrels of oil and 53.3 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Santos Basin, Campos Basin, and Espírito Santo Basin provinces of Brazil.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in waters associated with oil and gas development in the Denver Basin Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in waters associated with oil and gas development in the Denver Basin
Use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the petroleum industry could be a cause for concern due to the large volumes of produced water (PW) generated during oil and gas extraction, the reuse of these wastes in water-stressed regions, and adverse health outcomes related to PFAS exposures. However, PW PFAS characterization is nearly absent in the literature, and hydraulic...
Science
Geologic Mapping and Foundational Science
We deliver detailed mapping and foundational science about our Nation and world’s geology and geologic resources.
SBSC: Providing Unbiased Actionable Science & Information to Support Natural Resource Management Needs of the U.S. & Department of the Interior Priorities
The U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC) is uniquely positioned in the Colorado River Basin to provide sound information, specialized expertise, and innovative tools to support the management and sustained use of natural resources on public and Tribal lands in the Southwest U.S.
WebDART: A Cutting-edge Web Tool that Evaluates Land Condition
WebDART is an online ecological assessment tool available to a wide audience that incorporates Landsat satellite remote sensing imagery, topography, geology, soil conditions, and rangeland geospatial and vegetation mapping to compare altered terrain with an unspoiled area that has similar characteristics in the same region. The tool gives resource managers, landowners, companies, and other...