Publications
Filter Total Items: 937
Detecting hidden sedimentary geothermal systems in the Upper Colorado River Basin Detecting hidden sedimentary geothermal systems in the Upper Colorado River Basin
Geothermal resources exist in sedimentary rock where circulation of water for efficient extraction or storage of heat is possible. Except in rare instances where hot water is expressed at the land surface, sedimentary geothermal resources are hidden, so the identification of these systems is optimally accomplished using predictive subsurface modeling. An integrated approach using...
Authors
Rand Gardner, Justin E. Birdwell, Donald S. Sweetkind, Patrick Sullivan, Melia Eaton, Holger Petermann, Annaka Clement, James Hagadorn, Joshua Woda
Geothermal potential of orphan oil and gas wells Geothermal potential of orphan oil and gas wells
The United States is estimated to have hundreds of thousands of orphan oil and gas wells. Orphan wells are abandoned wells that are both unremediated and have no responsible operator. While traditionally considered environmental and economic liabilities, orphan oil and gas wells may offer new opportunities in sustainable geothermal energy development. This study evaluates the potential...
Authors
Rand Gardner, Justin E. Birdwell, Matthew D. Merrill, Ashton M. Wiens, Karl B. Haase, Nicholas J. Gianoutsos, Uei I. Lei, Patrick Sullivan
Exploring Martian geothermal and liquid water potential with basin modeling Exploring Martian geothermal and liquid water potential with basin modeling
Assessing the potential for geothermal energy and liquid water presence in the Martian subsurface is crucial for future exploration and habitability studies. In this work, we employed comprehensive finite element model simulations adapted specifically for Martian conditions to estimate subsurface temperatures and the potential for liquid water at depth within Martian crater basins. Rock...
Authors
Rand Gardner, Justin E. Birdwell, Katherine L. French, Chris Okubo, Janet K. Pitman, Stanley T. Paxton, Jason A. Flaum
Potential for co-production of lithium and geothermal resources in the Gulf Coast Potential for co-production of lithium and geothermal resources in the Gulf Coast
Lithium brine extractions and geothermal resource developments often are not economically viable as standalone projects, but they May become cost effective when the potential for both resources exist within the same reservoir. Subsurface datasets were analyzed to identify areas in the U.S. Gulf Coast region with potential for lithium brine and geothermal heat recovery. Temperature...
Authors
Rand Gardner, Justin E. Birdwell
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Santa Maria Basin Province, California, 2024 Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Santa Maria Basin Province, California, 2024
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 67 million barrels of oil and 56 billion cubic feet of gas in the Santa Maria Basin Province of California.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Tracey J. Mercier, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake II, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller
Proceedings of the Deepwater Hydrate Coring Expedition UT-GOM2-2 Proceedings of the Deepwater Hydrate Coring Expedition UT-GOM2-2
This report was the result of a scientific collaboration between the following institutions The University of Texas at Austin (UT), DOE, NETL, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), The Ohio State University, Columbia University, University of New Hampshire, Oregon State University, University of Washington, Tufts University, Colorado...
Authors
Peter Flemings, Carla Thomas, Stephen C. Phillips, Timothy Collett, Ann E. Cook, Evan Solomon, Frederick S. Colwell, Joel E. Johnson, David Awwiller, Irita Aylward, Athma Bhandari, Donald Brooks, Jessica Z. Buser-Young, Alejandro Cardona, Michael Casso, Rachel Coyte, Tom Darrah, Marcy Davis, Brandon Dugan, Dan Duncan, John T. Germaine, Melanie Holland, Jesse Houghton, Saffron Martin, N. Tanner Mills, Michael Mimitz, Daniel Minarich, Yuki Morono, Zachary Murphy, Joshua O’Connell, Ethan Petrou, Tom Pettigrew, John W. Pohlman, Alexey Portnov, Marcie Purkey Phillips, Thomas Redd, Derek E. Sawyer, Peter Schultheiss, Kelly Shannon, Cathal Small, Camille Sullivan, Kayla Tozier, Man-Yin Tsang, Camila Van Der Maal, William F. Waite, Taylor Walton
Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of Yemen, 2024 Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of Yemen, 2024
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 261 million barrels of oil and 4.5 trillion cubic feet of gas in Yemen.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller
The role of alkali bicarbonate-sulfate brines in the genesis of carbonatite REE resources at the Bear Lodge Alkaline Complex, Wyoming The role of alkali bicarbonate-sulfate brines in the genesis of carbonatite REE resources at the Bear Lodge Alkaline Complex, Wyoming
Rare-earth element (REE) resources in the Bear Lodge Alkaline Complex, Wyoming, are hosted in a variably leached carbonatite dike swarm spatially related to bodies of diatreme breccia. This study examines fluid inclusions in carbonatite dikes, peripheral fluorite breccias, and smoky quartz veins to reconstruct the physiochemical conditions of REE mineralization. Results reveal a multi...
Authors
Allen K. Andersen, Danielle A. Olinger, Mitchell M. Bennett
Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of India and Sri Lanka, 2024 Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of India and Sri Lanka, 2024
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 1.0 billion barrels of oil and 53.4 trillion cubic feet of gas in India and Sri Lanka.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake II, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kira K. Timm
Avak Creek oil occurrence, North Slope, Alaska: Newly discovered oil seep on Native lands, near village of Utqiagvik Avak Creek oil occurrence, North Slope, Alaska: Newly discovered oil seep on Native lands, near village of Utqiagvik
An unknown occurrence of oil was detected near Avak Creek on Native lands on the North Slope of Alaska. Determining the source of oil was imperative for allowing stakeholders (Federal, State, and local government agencies and the landowner, an Alaska Native corporation) to make timely and informed decisions and mount a mitigation response, if required. The regional and local geological...
Authors
Palma J. Botterell, David W Houseknecht, Jody Brae Wycech, J. Mike Moldowan, Paul G. Lillis, Rebecca A. Smith, Kimberley Maher
Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, 2024 Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, 2024
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 14.6 billion barrels of oil and 83.7 trillion cubic feet of gas in Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake II, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kira K. Timm
Waning greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. Federal lease coal production by the mid-21st century Waning greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. Federal lease coal production by the mid-21st century
This study presents estimates of future years (2024–2051) United States Federal lease coal production and the resulting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the combustion, transport, and mining of that fuel. Results from the coal production estimate indicate a decline in production from Federal leases; with known production of 240 million short tons (mtn) in 2023 and a projected decline...
Authors
Matthew D. Merrill, Paul E. Pierce, Chad C. Meister, Matthew M. Jones, C. Ozgen Karacan, Ashton M. Wiens, Peter D. Warwick, Brian N. Shaffer