World Oil and Gas Resource Assessments
Explore Unconventional/Continuous Oil and Gas Assessments
Click here to launchAssessment Overview

The USGS assesses potential for undiscovered oil and gas resources in priority geologic provinces in the World. This website highlights conventional and unconventional (continuous) oil and gas resources (such as shale gas) for more than 170 basins.
Conventional Oil and Gas Assessments
In 2012, the USGS completed a comprehensive assessment of priority basins throughout the world. This map lists publications for each of these basins.
Explore ConventionalRecent Publications
Below is a list of the latest World Oil and Gas Assessment Publications
2019 Lower Silurian Shales of the Arabian Peninsula
2019 Grand Erg/Ahnet Province of Algeria
2019 Oil and Gas of Sirte and Pelagian Basin Provinces
Browse AssessmentsScience Center Objects
The USGS World Energy Project conducts geologic studies that provide an understanding of the quantity, quality, and geologic distribution of world oil and gas resources. Our geologic studies are conducted in an impartial manner and are performed in collaboration and partnership with energy experts within and outside government. Through synthesis and improved understanding of global oil and gas data, we shall establish a geologic basis for predicting energy production trends, we shall discuss logical implications and consequences of energy occurrence for public policy, and we shall provide for the education of society about energy issues.