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United States Assessments of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources Active

By Central Energy Resources Science Center April 19, 2019

Explore US Undiscovered Oil and Gas Assessment Provinces

Assessment results, publications, data and more are available

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USGS Energy Resources Program provides periodic assessments of the oil and natural gas endowment of the United States and the World.  This website provides access to new, prioritized, assessment results and supporting data for the United States, as part of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).

Assessment Overview

Image shows a map of the assessment units of the 2018 Delaware Basin oil and gas assessment

The USGS assesses potential for undiscovered oil and gas resources in priority geologic provinces in the United States.  This website highlights conventional and unconventional (continuous) oil and gas assessments.

Summary of Continuous Assessments

Interactive map and chart highlighting USGS Domestic Continuous (Unconventional) Oil & Gas Assessments, 2000-Present

This applications shows maps and tables of all continuous assessments in the United States.

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Recent Assessments

Below are the latest US Assessments:

Browse Assessments

National Oil and Gas Assessment Methodology

The U.S. Geological Survey Energy Resources Program assesses the potential for undiscovered oil and gas resources in priority geologic provinces in the United States and around the world (click here for information about World Oil and Gas Assessments). Two methodologies are used by the USGS; one for assessing conventional oil and gas resources and one for assessing unconventional (continuous) oil and gas resources (such as shale gas and coalbed gas).  USGS publications detailing and explaining the conventional and continuous assessment methodologies are provided below.  These methodologies have been subjected to rigorous peer reviews by non federal panels, and the two panel reports are provided on this page.

 

Conventional Resources

USGS Reports

U.S. Geological Survey Assessment Concepts for Conventional Petroleum Accumulations
By James W. Schmoker and T.R. Klett

U.S. Geological Survey Input-Data Form and Operational Procedure for the Assessment of Conventional Petroleum Accumulations
By T.R. Klett, James W. Schmoker, and Ronald R. Charpentier

A Monte Carlo Simulation Method for the Assessment of Undiscovered, Conventional Oil and Gas
By Ronald R. Charpentier and T.R. Klett

 

Continuous Resources

USGS Reports

U.S. Geological Survey Assessment Concepts for Continuous Petroleum Accumulations
By James W. Schmoker

U.S. Geological Survey Input-Data Form and Operational Procedure for the Assessment Of Continuous Petroleum Accumulations, 2002
By T.R. Klett and James W. Schmoker

Analytic Resource Assessment Method for Continuous Petroleum Accumulations—The ACCESS Assessment Method
By Robert A. Crovelli

FORSPAN Model Users Guide
By T.R. Klett, and Ronald R. Charpentier
 

Methodology Revisions

Improved USGS methodology for assessing continuous petroleum resources.
Charpentier, R.R., and Cook, T.A.

Applying Probabilistic Well-Performance Parameters to Assessments of Shale-Gas Resources
By Ronald R. Charpentier and Troy Cook

Assembling Probabilistic Performance Parameters of Shale-Gas Wells
By Cook, Troy, and Charpentier, R.R.

USGS Methodology for Assessing Continuous Petroleum Resources
By Ronald R. Charpentier and Troy Cook

New U.S. Geological Survey Method for the Assessment of Reserve Growth
By Timothy R. Klett, Emil D. Attanasi, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Philip A. Freeman, Donald L. Gautier, Phuong A. Le, Robert T. Ryder, Christopher J. Schenk, Marilyn E. Tennyson, and Mahendra K. Verma (Reserve Growth Assessment Team)

Variability of Distributions of Well-Scale Estimated Ultimate Recovery for Continuous (Unconventional) Oil and Gas Resources in the United States 
By U.S. Geological Survey Oil and Gas Assessment Team

Peer Review

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Committee on Resource Evaluation (CORE) Subcommittee to review the United States Onshore Continuous (Unconventional) Gas Assessment Methodology Used by the USGS

 

Reserve Growth Methodology

USGS Reports

New U.S. Geological Survey Method for the Assessment of Reserve Growth
By Reserve Growth Assessment Team

Reserve Growth of Oil and Gas Fields - Investigations and Applications
By Troy Cook

Peer Review

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Committee on Resource Evaluation (CORE) Subcommittee to review the Growth-to-Known Reserves

 

Below are a list of recent assessment areas.  You can also use the National Oil and Gas Assessment Map to browse these assessments.

Filter Total Items: 59
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Eastern Basins of US Oil and Gas Assessments

Eastern Basins Oil and Gas Assessments

The USGS has conducted several assessments of undiscovered oil and gas in formations in the Blue Ridge Thrust Belt (5068), Piedmont Province (5069), Atlantic Coastal Plain Province (5070), and the New England Province (5072). These basins are generally east of the Appalachian Basin Province (5067).
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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Eastern Basins Oil and Gas Assessments

The USGS has conducted several assessments of undiscovered oil and gas in formations in the Blue Ridge Thrust Belt (5068), Piedmont Province (5069), Atlantic Coastal Plain Province (5070), and the New England Province (5072). These basins are generally east of the Appalachian Basin Province (5067).
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Province 5061 Southern Oklahoma Oil and Gas Assessments

Southern Oklahoma Oil and Gas Assessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered continuous oil and gas resources of the Southern Oklahoma Province (5061).
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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Southern Oklahoma Oil and Gas Assessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered continuous oil and gas resources of the Southern Oklahoma Province (5061).
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Province 5062 Arkoma Basin, National Oil and Gas Assessments

Arkoma Basin Oil and Gas Assessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Arkoma Basin Province 5062.
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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Arkoma Basin Oil and Gas Assessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Arkoma Basin Province 5062.
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Province 5066 Cincinnati Arch, National Oil and Gas Assessments

Cincinnati Arch Oil and Gas Assessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Cincinnati Arch Province (5066) :
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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Cincinnati Arch Oil and Gas Assessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Cincinnati Arch Province (5066) :
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Province 5056 Forest City Basin Oil and Gas Assessment

Forest City Basin Oil and Gas Assessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas potential of the Forest City Basin Province (5056).
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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Forest City Basin Oil and Gas Assessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas potential of the Forest City Basin Province (5056).
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Province 5052 Iowa Shelf Basin - National Oil and Gas Assessment

Iowa Shelf Oil and Gas Assessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas potential of the Iowa Shelf Province (5052).
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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Iowa Shelf Oil and Gas Assessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas potential of the Iowa Shelf Province (5052).
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Province 5057 Ozark Uplift Province, Oil and Gas Assessments

Ozark Uplift Oil and Gas Assessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas potential of the Ozark Uplift Province (5057).
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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Ozark Uplift Oil and Gas Assessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas potential of the Ozark Uplift Province (5057).
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Cambridge Arch-Central Kansas Uplift (5053) National Oil and Gas Assessment

Cambridge Arch-Central Kansas Uplift Oil and Gas Assessment

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas potential of the Cambridge Arch/Central Kansas Uplift Province (5053).
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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Cambridge Arch-Central Kansas Uplift Oil and Gas Assessment

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas potential of the Cambridge Arch/Central Kansas Uplift Province (5053).
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Nemaha Uplift Province 5055 National Oil and Gas Assessment

Nemaha Uplift Province Oil and Gas Assessment

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas potential of the Nemaha Uplift Province (5055).
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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Nemaha Uplift Province Oil and Gas Assessment

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas potential of the Nemaha Uplift Province (5055).
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Province 5059 Sedgwick Basin, Oil and Gas Assessments

Sedgwick Basin Oil and Gas Assessments

Province Code: 5059 The Salina Basin Province (5059), covers an area of about 45,000 sq mi, consisting of the eastern half of Nebraska and the north-central portion of Kansas. The basin lies between the Cambridge Arch-Central Kansas Uplift Province (5053) on the west, the Nemaha Uplift Province (5055) to the east, the Sioux Arch Province (5032) to the north, and a poorly defined structural saddle...
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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Sedgwick Basin Oil and Gas Assessments

Province Code: 5059 The Salina Basin Province (5059), covers an area of about 45,000 sq mi, consisting of the eastern half of Nebraska and the north-central portion of Kansas. The basin lies between the Cambridge Arch-Central Kansas Uplift Province (5053) on the west, the Nemaha Uplift Province (5055) to the east, the Sioux Arch Province (5032) to the north, and a poorly defined structural saddle...
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Province 5046 Marathon Thrust Belt National Oil and Gas Assessments

Marathon Thrust Belt Oil and Gas Asessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Marathon Thrust Belt province 5046 in southwestern Texas.
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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Marathon Thrust Belt Oil and Gas Asessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessments of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Marathon Thrust Belt province 5046 in southwestern Texas.
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Superior 5051 Oil and Gas Assessment Basin

Superior Oil and Gas Assessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessment of undiscovered oil and gas potential of the Superior Province 5051.
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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Superior Oil and Gas Assessments

The U.S. Geological Survey completed the following assessment of undiscovered oil and gas potential of the Superior Province 5051.
Learn More

Below are datasets related to the National Oil and Gas Assessments.  

Legacy downloadable data
Filter Total Items: 34

Total organic carbon and pyrolysis analysis data for the Rock Well Petroleum core #8, southern Casper arch, Natrona County, Wyoming

In 2006, Rock Well Petroleum drilled and logged nearly 1,600 feet (ft) of continuous core on the southern part of the Casper arch in Natrona County, Wyoming (see fig1.png). The core hole, named the Poison Spider core #8 penetrated the interval extending from the Upper Cretaceous Frontier Formation to the Triassic Alcova Limestone. The core was subsequently donated to the U.S. Geological Survey Cor
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project-U.S. Gulf Coast, Deep Tuscaloosa Conventional Gas: Assessment Unit Boundary, Assessment Input Data, and Fact Sheet Data Tables

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units and input data for the assessment of undiscovered Deep Tuscaloosa Group sandstones conventional gas resources in the U.S. Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Mississippi. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit is defined wi
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Aggregated Oil and Natural Gas Drilling and Production History of the United States

This data release provides several datasets that provide an overview of oil and gas well history and production of the United States, from 1817 to September 1, 2022. Well history data is aggregated into 1- and 10-mile squares indicating the total number of wells and counts of wells classified as oil, gas, dry, injection, hydraulically fractured, and/or horizontal wells. Well history is also binned
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project-Montana Thrust Belt Province: Assessment Unit Boundaries, Assessment Input Data, and Fact Sheet Data Tables

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units and input data for the assessment of undiscovered gas resources in the Montana Thrust Belt province in Montana. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit is defined within the context of the higher-level Total Petroleu
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project - Resource Allocations for the BLM Carlsbad Planning Area

The U.S. Geological Survey Central Energy Science Center (CERSC) was asked to provide allocations of oil and gas resources and numbers of potential wells calculated from these allocated resources for the BLM Carlsbad Planning Area in New Mexico. The resource allocations were based on the most current USGS assessment of continuous (unconventional) oil and gas resources within eleven geologically de
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project - Williston Basin, Bakken and Three Forks Formations Continuous Assessment Unit Boundaries and Assessment Input Data Forms

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units and input data for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Bakken and Three Forks formations in the Williston Basin province in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Asse
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

Total organic carbon and pyrolysis analysis data for the U.S. Geological Survey Alcova AR-1-13 core hole, Natrona County, Wyoming

In 2013 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) drilled a continuous core in the southeastern part of the Wind River Basin, Wyoming to evaluate the source rock potential of the Lower and lowermost Upper Cretaceous marine shales . The well, named the Alcova Reservoir AR-1-13, located on the northeast flank of the Alcova anticline was spud in the lower part of the Frontier Formation and ended in the upper
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project - Williston Basin, Lower Paleozoic Conventional Assessment Unit Boundaries and Assessment Input Data Forms

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units and input data for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Lower Paleozoic of the Williston Basin province in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit is def
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project - Williston Basin, Upper Paleozoic Conventional Assessment Unit Boundaries and Assessment Input Data Forms

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units and input data for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Upper Paleozoic of the Williston Basin province in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit is def
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project - Williston Basin, Tyler Formation Assessment Unit Boundaries and Assessment Input Data Forms

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units and input data for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Tyler formation of the Williston Basin province in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit is def
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project - Williston Basin, Gas Assessment Unit Boundaries and Assessment Input Data Forms

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units and input data for the assessment of undiscovered gas resources in the Williston Basin province in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit is defined within the context of the
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project - Northern Alaska Province, Western North Slope Assessment Unit Boundaries and Assessment Input Data Forms

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units and input data for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of strata older than the Torok Formation of the Western North Slope in the Northern Alaska province. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit is
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 93

Assessment of undiscovered conventional gas resources in the Deep Tuscaloosa Group Sandstones of the Western Gulf Basin Province, U.S. Gulf Coast region, 2021

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 14,785 billion cubic feet of gas resources in the Western Gulf Basin Province, U.S. Gulf Coast region.
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of the Montana Thrust Belt Province, 2021

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 783 million barrels of conventional oil and 17,606 billion (17.6 trillion) cubic feet of conventional gas in the Montana Thrust Belt Province.
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered continuous oil resources in the Bakken and Three Forks Formations of the Williston Basin Province, North Dakota and Montana, 2021

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 4.3 billion barrels of oil and 4.9 trillion cubic feet of gas (associated) in the Bakken and Three Forks Formations of the Williston Basin Province, North Dakota and Montana.
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Lithologic descriptions, geophysical logs, and source-rock geochemistry of the U.S. Geological Survey Alcova Reservoir AR–1–13 Core Hole, Natrona County, Wyoming

In 2013, a continuous 624-foot core hole was drilled and logged by the U.S. Geological Survey in Natrona County, Wyoming, with the goal to better understand Cretaceous source rocks in the Wind River Basin. The core hole, named the Alcova Reservoir AR–1–13, penetrated the interval extending from the upper part of the Lower Cretaceous Cloverly Formation to the lower part of the Upper Cretaceous Fron
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in the lower Paleozoic of the Williston Basin Province, 2020

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 83 million barrels of oil and 351 billion cubic feet of gas in lower Paleozoic strata of the Williston Basin Province, North Dakota, Montana, and South Dakota.
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered gas resources in the Williston Basin Province, 2020

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a mean of 2,438 billion (2.4 trillion) cubic feet of gas resources in the Williston Basin Province, in North Dakota, Montana, and South Dakota.
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of upper Paleozoic strata in the Williston Basin Province, 2020

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean oil and gas resources of 134 million barrels of oil and 81 billion cubic feet of gas in upper Paleozoic strata of the Williston Basin Province in North Dakota, Montana, and South Dakota.
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Pennsylvanian Tyler Formation of the Williston Basin Province, 2020

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 161 million barrels of oil and 93 billion cubic feet of gas in the Tyler Formation of the Williston Basin Province, North Dakota.
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered gas resources in Upper Devonian to Lower Cretaceous strata of the western North Slope, Alaska, 2021

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a mean of 1,407 billion (1.4 trillion) cubic feet of gas in conventional accumulations in Upper Devonian to Lower Cretaceous strata of the western North Slope, Alaska.
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Assessment of continuous gas resources in the Horn River Basin, Cordova Embayment, and Liard Basin, Canada, 2019

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 135.4 trillion cubic feet of continuous gas in Devonian–Mississippian shales in the Horn River Basin, Cordova Embayment, and Liard Basin of Canada.
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of continuous oil and gas resources in the Mowry Shale, Wind River Basin Province, Wyoming, 2020

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 288 million barrels of oil and 2.6 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Mowry Shale in the Wind River Basin Province, Wyoming.
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geologic assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Cherokee Platform area of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri

In 2015, the U.S. Geological Survey completed a geology-based assessment to estimate the volumes of undiscovered, technically recoverable petroleum resources in the Cherokee Platform Province area of southeastern Kansas, northeastern Oklahoma, and southwestern Missouri. The U.S. Geological Survey identified four stratigraphic intervals that contain petroleum source rocks: (1) thin shales in the Mi
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Below are datasets related to the National Oil and Gas Assessments.  

Explore US Oil and Gas Assessments

This map shows the provinces assessed by the USGS for undiscovered oil and gas resources. 

By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

USGS Domestic Continuous (Unconventional) Oil & Gas Assessments, 2000-Present

Interactively explore assessment summary information for continuous (unconventional) assessments conducted at the USGS from 2000-2018. The assessment results data used to generate this visualization can be downloaded here in Excel Format.  These data represent all assessment results for Continuous Assessments only from 2000-2018.

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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Below are news stories associated with this project.

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USGS Releases Oil and Gas Assessment for the Bakken and Three Forks Formations of Montana and North Dakota

The USGS has completed an oil and gas estimate for the Bakken and Three Forks Formations in the Williston Basin of Montana and North Dakota.  

Read Article
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USGS Announces Largest Continuous Oil Assessment in Texas and New Mexico

Estimates Include 46.3 Billion Barrels of Oil, 281 Trillion Cubic feet of Natural Gas, and 20 Billion Barrels of Natural Gas Liquids in Texas and New...

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USGS Estimates Oil and Gas in Texas’ Eagle Ford Group

The Eagle Ford Group of Texas contains estimated means of 8.5 billion barrels of oil, 66 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and 1.9 billion barrels...

Read Article

Below are FAQ associated with this project.

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Drilling Rig

What are the different columns on a USGS oil and gas resource assessment table?

Oil and gas estimates always involve some amounts of uncertainty. To account for this, the USGS presents its assessments of oil and gas potential in the form of a range based on how certain we are that this amount of oil and gas exist. The USGS uses a statistically based process (or model) to calculate the likely range of its estimates. The range of values extends from a 5% or greater likelihood...

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What are the different columns on a USGS oil and gas resource assessment table?

Oil and gas estimates always involve some amounts of uncertainty. To account for this, the USGS presents its assessments of oil and gas potential in the form of a range based on how certain we are that this amount of oil and gas exist. The USGS uses a statistically based process (or model) to calculate the likely range of its estimates. The range of values extends from a 5% or greater likelihood...

Learn More
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Oil and Gas Wastewater Disposal Facility in West Virginia

What are "technically recoverable" oil and gas resources?

“Technically recoverable” means that the oil and/or gas can be produced using currently available technology and industry practices. This is regardless of any economic or accessibility considerations. For example, the technology required to produce oil from a location might exist, but it costs more than the oil is worth. The oil is still technically recoverable. Learn more: USGS Energy Assessments...

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What are "technically recoverable" oil and gas resources?

“Technically recoverable” means that the oil and/or gas can be produced using currently available technology and industry practices. This is regardless of any economic or accessibility considerations. For example, the technology required to produce oil from a location might exist, but it costs more than the oil is worth. The oil is still technically recoverable. Learn more: USGS Energy Assessments...

Learn More
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Why do the oil and gas resource numbers sometimes change when the USGS releases a new assessment of an oil and gas formation?

Assessments regularly change based on our understanding of geology, as well as advances in technology. As more is learned about the geology of a given formation, both from USGS research and from industry activity, a clearer picture of the potential recoverable oil and gas resources can be created. In some cases, industry activity can show that a rock formation that was previous thought to have...

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Why do the oil and gas resource numbers sometimes change when the USGS releases a new assessment of an oil and gas formation?

Assessments regularly change based on our understanding of geology, as well as advances in technology. As more is learned about the geology of a given formation, both from USGS research and from industry activity, a clearer picture of the potential recoverable oil and gas resources can be created. In some cases, industry activity can show that a rock formation that was previous thought to have...

Learn More

Below are partners associated with this project.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)