Gulf Coast Geologic Energy Assessments Active
One of the main goals of the Gulf Coast Geologic Energy Assessments and Research (GEAR) project is to conduct assessments of undiscovered, technically recoverable petroleum resources of the U.S. Gulf Coast region. This goal is in accordance with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) and is performed in collaboration with the USGS National Oil and Gas Assessment project. These high-quality, scientifically unbiased resource assessments provide crucial information to stakeholders and decision makers at the local, State, and Federal levels.
The hydrocarbon resource assessments in the U.S. Gulf Coast focus on the onshore and State waters portion of this region. The offshore Gulf of Mexico basin outboard of the State-Federal boundary is within the purview of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. These geologic-based quantitative assessments use different methodologies for conventional and continuous oil and gas accumulations. Conventional oil and gas accumulations develop through migration of generated hydrocarbons into a porous and permeable rock unit, while continuous accumulations are regional accumulations of oil and/or gas that are dispersed throughout the matrix of the host rock unit.
Listed below are USGS publications related to the most recent assessments results for the Gulf Coast. Access to supporting data can be found by click on the ‘Data’ tab above. A summary of associated research within the Gulf Coast GEAR project and resulting publications can be found on the Gulf Coast GEAR Research page.
Recent Assessments
- 2021 Deep Tuscaloosa Group Sandstones Conventional (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial and Input Data)
- 2019 Austin Chalk and Tokio and Eutaw Formations Conventional and Continuous (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial and Input Data)
- 2018 Eagle Ford Continuous (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial and Input Data)
- 2018 Tuscaloosa Marine Shale Continuous (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial and Input Data)
- 2017 Bossier Formation Conventional and Continuous (Open File Report, Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial Data, Input data)
- 2017 Downdip Paleogene Conventional (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial and Input Data)
- 2016 Haynesville Formation Conventional and Continuous (Open File Report, Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial Data, Input data)
- 2016 South Florida Conventional and Continuous (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial and Input Data)
- 2015 Cotton Valley Conventional and Continuous (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial Data)
Previous Assessments (select publications):
- 2011 Eagle Ford Conventional and Continuous (Fact Sheet)
- 2010 Austin Chalk Conventional and Continuous (Fact Sheet)
- 2010 Jurassic and Cretaceous Conventional and Continuous (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial Data)
- 2007 Tuscaloosa and Woodbine Formations Conventional (Fact Sheet)
- 2007 Tertiary Strata Conventional and Continuous (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial Data)
- 2003 Navarro and Taylor Groups (Fact Sheet, Geologic Report, Assessment Unit Spatial Data)
- 2002 Cotton Valley Group and Travis Peak and Hosston Formations (Cotton Valley Fact Sheet, Travis Peak and Hosston Fact Sheet, Geologic Report)
- 2000 South Florida Basin Conventional and Continuous (Digital Data Series Report)
- 1995 Assessment of Western Gulf and East Texas Basin & Louisiana-Mississippi Salt Basins
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Geologic characterization of the hydrocarbon resource potential of the Upper Cretaceous Tuscaloosa marine shale in Mississippi and Louisiana, U.S.A.
Geologic assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in the Lower Paleogene Midway and Wilcox Groups, and the Carrizo Sand of the Claiborne Group, of the Northern Gulf coast region
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Haynesville Formation, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2016
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Bossier Formation, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2016
Geologic assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources—Lower Cretaceous Albian to Upper Cretaceous Cenomanian carbonate rocks of the Fredericksburg and Washita Groups, United States Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain and State Waters
Geologic assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Albian Clastic and Updip Albian Clastic Assessment Units, U.S. Gulf Coast Region
Aptian ‘Shale Gas’ Prospectivity in the Downdip Mississippi Interior Salt Basin, Gulf Coast, USA
Geologic framework for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in sandstone reservoirs of the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous Cotton Valley Group, U.S. Gulf of Mexico region
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in sandstone reservoirs of the Cotton Valley Group, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2015
Geologic assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources: Oligocene Frio and Anahuac Formations, United States Gulf of Mexico coastal plain and State waters
Geologic models and evaluation of undiscovered conventional and continuous oil and gas resources: Upper Cretaceous Austin Chalk
Geologic assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources--Middle Eocene Claiborne Group, United States part of the Gulf of Mexico Basin
Below are news stories associated with this project.
- Overview
One of the main goals of the Gulf Coast Geologic Energy Assessments and Research (GEAR) project is to conduct assessments of undiscovered, technically recoverable petroleum resources of the U.S. Gulf Coast region. This goal is in accordance with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) and is performed in collaboration with the USGS National Oil and Gas Assessment project. These high-quality, scientifically unbiased resource assessments provide crucial information to stakeholders and decision makers at the local, State, and Federal levels.
The hydrocarbon resource assessments in the U.S. Gulf Coast focus on the onshore and State waters portion of this region. The offshore Gulf of Mexico basin outboard of the State-Federal boundary is within the purview of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. These geologic-based quantitative assessments use different methodologies for conventional and continuous oil and gas accumulations. Conventional oil and gas accumulations develop through migration of generated hydrocarbons into a porous and permeable rock unit, while continuous accumulations are regional accumulations of oil and/or gas that are dispersed throughout the matrix of the host rock unit.
Listed below are USGS publications related to the most recent assessments results for the Gulf Coast. Access to supporting data can be found by click on the ‘Data’ tab above. A summary of associated research within the Gulf Coast GEAR project and resulting publications can be found on the Gulf Coast GEAR Research page.
Recent Assessments
- 2021 Deep Tuscaloosa Group Sandstones Conventional (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial and Input Data)
- 2019 Austin Chalk and Tokio and Eutaw Formations Conventional and Continuous (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial and Input Data)
- 2018 Eagle Ford Continuous (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial and Input Data)
- 2018 Tuscaloosa Marine Shale Continuous (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial and Input Data)
- 2017 Bossier Formation Conventional and Continuous (Open File Report, Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial Data, Input data)
- 2017 Downdip Paleogene Conventional (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial and Input Data)
- 2016 Haynesville Formation Conventional and Continuous (Open File Report, Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial Data, Input data)
- 2016 South Florida Conventional and Continuous (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial and Input Data)
- 2015 Cotton Valley Conventional and Continuous (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial Data)
Previous Assessments (select publications):
- 2011 Eagle Ford Conventional and Continuous (Fact Sheet)
- 2010 Austin Chalk Conventional and Continuous (Fact Sheet)
- 2010 Jurassic and Cretaceous Conventional and Continuous (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial Data)
- 2007 Tuscaloosa and Woodbine Formations Conventional (Fact Sheet)
- 2007 Tertiary Strata Conventional and Continuous (Fact Sheet, Assessment Unit Spatial Data)
- 2003 Navarro and Taylor Groups (Fact Sheet, Geologic Report, Assessment Unit Spatial Data)
- 2002 Cotton Valley Group and Travis Peak and Hosston Formations (Cotton Valley Fact Sheet, Travis Peak and Hosston Fact Sheet, Geologic Report)
- 2000 South Florida Basin Conventional and Continuous (Digital Data Series Report)
- 1995 Assessment of Western Gulf and East Texas Basin & Louisiana-Mississippi Salt Basins
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
- Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 48Geologic characterization of the hydrocarbon resource potential of the Upper Cretaceous Tuscaloosa marine shale in Mississippi and Louisiana, U.S.A.
Recent oil production from the Upper Cretaceous Tuscaloosa marine shale (TMS) has elevated the formation, previously assessed by the USGS in 2011 as part of the Eagle Ford Group, to its own distinct assessment unit for an upcoming assessment. Geologic characterization in preparation for the 2017 assessment has included the analysis of rock samples and produced oils, and the interpretation of wellAuthorsCatherine B. Enomoto, Paul C. Hackley, Brett J. Valentine, William A. Rouse, Frank T. Dulong, Celeste D. Lohr, Javin J. HatcherianGeologic assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in the Lower Paleogene Midway and Wilcox Groups, and the Carrizo Sand of the Claiborne Group, of the Northern Gulf coast region
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently conducted an assessment of the undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas potential of Tertiary strata underlying the onshore areas and State waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico coastal region. The assessment was based on a number of geologic elements including an evaluation of hydrocarbon source rocks, suitable reservoir rocks, and hydrocarbon tAuthorsPeter D. WarwickAssessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Haynesville Formation, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2016
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 1.1 billion barrels of conventional oil and 195.8 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Upper Jurassic Haynesville Formation in onshore lands and State waters of the U.S. Gulf Coast region.AuthorsStanley T. Paxton, Janet K. Pitman, Scott A. Kinney, Nicholas J. Gianoutsos, Ofori N. Pearson, Katherine J. Whidden, Russell F. Dubiel, Christopher J. Schenk, Lauri A. Burke, Timothy R. Klett, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Tracey J. Mercier, Seth S. Haines, Brian A. Varela, Phuong A. Le, Thomas M. Finn, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Sarah J. Hawkins, Kristen R. Marra, Marilyn E. TennysonAssessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Bossier Formation, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2016
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 2.9 billion barrels of conventional oil and 108.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the Upper Jurassic Bossier Formation in onshore lands and State waters of the U.S. Gulf Coast region.AuthorsStanley T. Paxton, Janet K. Pitman, Scott A. Kinney, Nicholas J. Gianoutsos, Ofori N. Pearson, Katherine J. Whidden, Russell F. Dubiel, Christopher J. Schenk, Lauri A. Burke, Timothy R. Klett, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Tracey J. Mercier, Seth S. Haines, Brian A. Varela, Phuong A. Le, Thomas M. Finn, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Sarah J. Hawkins, Kristen R. Marra, Marilyn E. TennysonGeologic assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources—Lower Cretaceous Albian to Upper Cretaceous Cenomanian carbonate rocks of the Fredericksburg and Washita Groups, United States Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain and State Waters
In 2010, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessed Lower Cretaceous Albian to Upper Cretaceous Cenomanian carbonate rocks of the Fredericksburg and Washita Groups and their equivalent units for technically recoverable, undiscovered hydrocarbon resources underlying onshore lands and State Waters of the Gulf Coast region of the United States. This assessment was based on a geologic model that incorAuthorsSharon M. Swanson, Catherine B. Enomoto, Kristin O. Dennen, Brett J. Valentine, Steven M. CahanGeologic assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Albian Clastic and Updip Albian Clastic Assessment Units, U.S. Gulf Coast Region
U.S. Geological Survey National Oil and Gas Assessments (NOGA) of Albian aged clastic reservoirs in the U.S. Gulf Coast region indicate a relatively low prospectivity for undiscovered hydrocarbon resources due to high levels of past production and exploration. Evaluation of two assessment units (AUs), (1) the Albian Clastic AU 50490125, and (2) the Updip Albian Clastic AU 50490126, were based on aAuthorsMatthew D. MerrillAptian ‘Shale Gas’ Prospectivity in the Downdip Mississippi Interior Salt Basin, Gulf Coast, USA
This study evaluates regional ‘shale gas’ prospectivity of the Aptian section (primarily Pine Island Shale) in the downdip Mississippi Salt Basin (MSB). Previous work by the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a mean undiscovered gas resource of 8.8 trillion cubic feet (TCF) in the chronostratigraphic-equivalent Pearsall Formation in the Maverick Basin of south Texas, where industry has established aAuthorsPaul C. Hackley, Brett J. Valentine, Catherine B. Enomoto, Celeste D. Lohr, Krystina R. Scott, Frank T. Dulong, Alana M. BoveGeologic framework for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in sandstone reservoirs of the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous Cotton Valley Group, U.S. Gulf of Mexico region
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is assessing the undiscovered oil and gas resources in sandstone reservoirs of the Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous Cotton Valley Group in onshore areas and State waters of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico region. The assessment is based on geologic elements of a total petroleum system. Four assessment units (AUs) are defined based on characterization of hydrocarbon sourceAuthorsJennifer D. Eoff, Russell F. Dubiel, Ofori N. Pearson, Katherine J. WhiddenAssessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in sandstone reservoirs of the Cotton Valley Group, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2015
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered mean volumes of 14 million barrels of conventional oil, 430 billion cubic feet of conventional gas, 34,028 billion cubic feet of continuous gas, and a mean total of 391 million barrels of natural gas liquids in sandstone reservoirs of the Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous Cotton Valley Group in onshore laAuthorsJennifer D. Eoff, Laura R.H. Biewick, Michael E. Brownfield, Lauri Burke, Ronald R. Charpentier, Russell F. Dubiel, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Nicholas J. Gianoutsos, Scott A. Kinney, Timothy R. Klett, Heidi M. Leathers, Tracey J. Mercier, Stanley T. Paxton, Ofori N. Pearson, Janet K. Pitman, Christopher J. Schenk, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Katherine J. WhiddenGeologic assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources: Oligocene Frio and Anahuac Formations, United States Gulf of Mexico coastal plain and State waters
The Oligocene Frio and Anahuac Formations were assessed as part of the 2007 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessment of Tertiary strata of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico Basin onshore and State waters. The Frio Formation, which consists of sand-rich fluvio-deltaic systems, has been one of the largest hydrocarbon producers from the Paleogene in the Gulf of Mexico. The Anahuac Formation, an extensive transAuthorsSharon M. Swanson, Alexander W. Karlsen, Brett J. ValentineGeologic models and evaluation of undiscovered conventional and continuous oil and gas resources: Upper Cretaceous Austin Chalk
The Upper Cretaceous Austin Chalk forms a low-permeability, onshore Gulf of Mexico reservoir that produces oil and gas from major fractures oriented parallel to the underlying Lower Cretaceous shelf edge. Horizontal drilling links these fracture systems to create an interconnected network that drains the reservoir. Field and well locations along the production trend are controlled by fracture netwAuthorsKrystal PearsonGeologic assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources--Middle Eocene Claiborne Group, United States part of the Gulf of Mexico Basin
The Middle Eocene Claiborne Group was assessed using established U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessment methodology for undiscovered conventional hydrocarbon resources as part of the 2007 USGS assessment of Paleogene-Neogene strata of the United States part of the Gulf of Mexico Basin including onshore and State waters. The assessed area is within the Upper Jurassic-Cretaceous-Tertiary CompositeAuthorsPaul C. Hackley - Web Tools
- News
Below are news stories associated with this project.