Publications
Browse recent USGS publications related to energy resources.
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Frequency distribution Frequency distribution
Given a numerical dataset, a frequency distribution is a summary displaying fluctuations of an attribute within the range of values. In contrast to an analytical probability distribution, a frequency distribution always deals with empirically observed values (Everitt and Skondall 2010). In general, the larger the number of values, the more useful is the frequency distribution relative to...
Authors
Ricardo A. Olea
Revisiting the declustering of spatial data with preferential sampling Revisiting the declustering of spatial data with preferential sampling
Preferential sampling is a form of data collection that may significantly distort the histogram and the semivariogram of spatially correlated data. Typical situations are a higher sampling density at high-valued areas favorable for mining, and highly contaminated areas in need of environmental remediation. Multiple statistical procedures are devoted to obtaining representative statistics...
Authors
Ricardo A. Olea
Geochemical and mineralogical properties of Boquillas Shale geochemical reference material ShBOQ-1 Geochemical and mineralogical properties of Boquillas Shale geochemical reference material ShBOQ-1
The ShBOQ-1 geochemical reference material is relevant to studies of the organic geochemistry and mineralogy of petroleum source rocks containing high concentrations of carbonate minerals and organic sulfur-rich, oil-prone marine organic matter. ShBOQ-1 is geochemically and mineralogically similar to the lower part of the Upper Cretaceous Eagle Ford Shale.
Authors
Justin E. Birdwell, Stephen A. Wilson
Meter-scale lithofacies cycle and controls on variations in oil saturation, Wolfcamp A, Delaware and Midland Basins Meter-scale lithofacies cycle and controls on variations in oil saturation, Wolfcamp A, Delaware and Midland Basins
Typical meter-scale lithofacies cycles from the Wolfcamp A in the Delaware and Midland Basins comprise basal carbonate facies overlain by calcareous or siliceous mudrocks. Siliceous mudstones are the most organic-rich facies with high total organic carbon (TOC > 3 wt. %), whereas thin carbonate beds have the lowest organic matter (OM) content among the lithofacies present (TOC TOC...
Authors
Tongwei Zhang, Qilong Fu, Xun Sun, Paul C. Hackley, Lucy Tingwei Ko, Deyong Shao
Evaluation of Indoor PM2.5 concentrations in a Native American community: A pilot study Evaluation of Indoor PM2.5 concentrations in a Native American community: A pilot study
Background
Authors
Nan Ji, Ana Rule, Robert Weatherholtz, Lynn M. Crosby, Joseph E. Bunnell, William H. Orem, Raymond R. Reid, Mathuram Santosham, Laura L. Hammitt, Katherine L. O’Brien
Water–rock interaction and the concentrations of major, trace, and rare earth elements in hydrocarbon-associated produced waters of the United States Water–rock interaction and the concentrations of major, trace, and rare earth elements in hydrocarbon-associated produced waters of the United States
Studies of co-produced waters from hydrocarbon extraction across multiple energy-producing basins have generally focused on major ions or a few select tracers, and studies that examine trace elements and involve laboratory experiments have generally been basin specific. Here, new perspective is sought through a broad analysis of concentration data for 26 elements from three hydrocarbon...
Authors
Carleton R. Bern, Justin E. Birdwell, Aaron M. Jubb
Carotenoid biomarkers in Namibian shelf sediments: Anoxygenic photosynthesis during sulfide eruptions in the Benguela Upwelling System Carotenoid biomarkers in Namibian shelf sediments: Anoxygenic photosynthesis during sulfide eruptions in the Benguela Upwelling System
Anoxygenic photosynthesis by phototrophic sulfur bacteria is prevalent in microbial mat ecosystems and in restricted, highly stratified aquatic environments. This limited distribution reflects their simultaneous requirements for an anoxic habitat, reduced sulfur to supply electrons for carbon fixation, and an appropriate light regime. Although these conditions were often satisfied in...
Authors
Jian Ma, Katherine L. French, Xingqian Cui, Donald Bryant, Roger Summons
Using fission-track radiography coupled with scanning electron microscopy for efficient identification of solid-phase uranium mineralogy at a former uranium pilot mill (Grand Junction, Colorado) Using fission-track radiography coupled with scanning electron microscopy for efficient identification of solid-phase uranium mineralogy at a former uranium pilot mill (Grand Junction, Colorado)
At a former uranium pilot mill in Grand Junction, Colorado, mine tailings and some subpile sediments were excavated to various depths to meet surface radiological standards, but residual solid-phase uranium below these excavation depths still occurs at concentrations above background. The combination of fission-track radiography and scanning electron microscope energy-dispersive X-ray...
Authors
Raymond H. Johnson, Susan Hall, Aaron Tigar
Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in the eastern Mediterranean area, 2020 Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in the eastern Mediterranean area, 2020
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 879 million barrels of conventional oil and 286.2 trillion cubic feet of conventional gas in the eastern Mediterranean area.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Thomas M. Finn, Cheryl A. Woodall, Kristen R. Marra, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Phuong A. Le, Ronald M. Drake
Insights on geochemical, isotopic, and volumetric compositions of produced water from hydraulically fractured Williston Basin oil wells Insights on geochemical, isotopic, and volumetric compositions of produced water from hydraulically fractured Williston Basin oil wells
Tracing produced water origins from wells hydraulically fractured with freshwater-based fluids is sometimes predicated on assumptions that (1) each geological formation contains compositionally unique brine and (2) produced water from recently hydraulically fractured wells resembles fresher meteoric water more so than produced water from older wells. These assumptions are not valid in...
Authors
Tanya J. Gallegos, Colin A. Doolan, Rodney R. Caldwell, Mark A Engle, Matthew S. Varonka, Justin E. Birdwell, Glenn D. Jolly, Tyler B. Coplen, Thomas A. Oliver
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Probabilistic methodology for the assessment of original and recoverable coal resources, illustrated with an application to a coal bed in the Fort Union Formation, Wyoming Probabilistic methodology for the assessment of original and recoverable coal resources, illustrated with an application to a coal bed in the Fort Union Formation, Wyoming
Authors
Ricardo A. Olea, Brian N. Shaffer, Jon E. Haacke, James A. Luppens