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The Energy Resources Program conducts research and assessments to advance the understanding of the Nation’s energy resources. We study processes critical to the formation, accumulation, occurrence and alteration of geologically based energy resources; prepare resource assessments; and evaluate the environmental and socioeconomic effects of energy resource occurrence, production and use.
Our Science
Understanding the national and global availability of resources as well as the environmental impacts of their development is essential for strategic decision making related to the nation’s energy mix.
Learn MoreThe Energy Quarterly
This quarterly newsletter highlights the latest Energy Resources Program research, activities, publications, and information resources available from our website and other sources. Read & Subscribe Today!
Current NewsletterNews
USGS Estimates 306 Billion Cubic Feet of Recoverable Helium in the United States
The natural gas reservoirs of the United States contain an estimated 306 billion cubic feet of recoverable helium, according to a new report from the U.S. Geological Survey. This is the first-ever estimate of recoverable helium resources from the USGS.
New Study Helps Wind Industry, Wildlife Managers Identify Risks to Certain Raptors from Collisions with Wind Turbines
A recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Oklahoma State University study shows not all raptor species are equally impacted by collisions with wind turbines. Of 14 species studied, five are at risk of population declines due to collisions.
Recent Publications: Energy Quarterly Spring 2021
Featured article in Spring 2021 Edition of the Energy Quarterly Newsletter.
Publications
Machine learning can assign geologic basin to produced water samples using major ion geochemistry
Understanding the geochemistry of waters produced during petroleum extraction is essential to informing the best treatment and reuse options, which can potentially be optimized for a given geologic basin. Here, we used the US Geological Survey’s National Produced Waters Geochemical Database (PWGD) to determine if major ion chemistry could be used...
Shelton, Jenna L.; Jubb, Aaron M.; Saxe, Samuel; Attanasi, Emil D.; Milkov, Alexei; Engle, Mark A; Freeman, Philip A.; Shaffer, Christopher; Blondes, Madalyn S. Compositional evolution of organic matter in Boquillas Shale across a thermal gradient at the single particle level
The molecular composition of petroliferous organic matter and its compositional evolution throughout thermal maturation provides insight for understanding petroleum generation. This information is critical for understanding hydrocarbon resources in unconventional reservoirs, as source rock organic matter is highly dispersed, in contact...
Birdwell, Justin E.; Jubb, Aaron M.; Hackley, Paul C.; Hatcherian, Javin J.
National assessment of helium resources within known natural gas reservoirs
Using available data, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated that 306 billion cubic feet of recoverable helium is presently within the known geologic natural gas reservoirs of the United States.
Brennan, Sean T.; Rivera, Jennifer L.; Varela, Brian A.; Park, Andy J.