What are the different columns on a USGS oil and gas resource assessment table?
The USGS uses a statistically-based process to calculate the likely range of its estimate. The range of values extends from a 5% or greater likelihood of occurrence (the F5 value, or largest estimated value) to less than 95% likelihood of occurrence (the F95 value, or smallest estimated value).
The F50 column is the value that occurs when 50% of the results are greater and 50% are lesser than the model results. We also calculate a mean or average value, which is the number commonly reported in the USGS press releases. The mean is close to, but not identical to, the F50 value.
Learn more: USGS Energy Assessments
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Assessment of undiscovered continuous oil resources in the Wolfcamp shale of the Midland Basin, Permian Basin Province, Texas, 2016
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Unconventional energy resources: 2015 review. Shale gas and liquids
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The Upper Devonian Three Forks and Upper Devonian to Lower Mississippian Bakken Formations comprise a major United States continuous oil resource. Current exploitation of oil is from horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing of the Middle Member of the Bakken and upper Three Forks, with ongoing exploration of the lower Three Forks, and the...
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Unconventional natural gas resources on U.S. federal lands
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Re-Assessing Alaska's Energy Frontier
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USGS Estimates 20 Billion Barrels of Oil in Texas’ Wolfcamp Shale Formation
This is the largest estimate of continuous oil that USGS has ever assessed in the United States.
USGS Estimates 66 Trillion Cubic Feet of Natural Gas in Colorado’s Mancos Shale Formation
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USGS Estimates 53 Trillion Cubic Feet of Gas Resources in Barnett Shale
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USGS Releases Unconventional Gas Estimates for Five East Coast Basins
Using a geology-based assessment method, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a mean undiscovered natural gas resource of 3.9 trillion cubic feet and a mean undiscovered natural gas liquids resource of 135 million barrels in continuous accumulations within five East Coast Mesozoic basins, according to a new USGS report.
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Bakken drilling and completion activities at a well along Interstate-94, 6 miles east of Belfield, North Dakota.
Black and White Night Drilling for the Eagle Ford
USGS scientists drilling a research core near Waco, Texas. This core was drilled by USGS during field work for an oil and gas assessment for the Eagle Ford of the Gulf Coast Basins. Cores like these provide information on the various rock layers, such as their make-up, their age, etc.
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Drilling a Core for the Eagle Ford
USGS scientists drilling a research core near Waco, Texas. This core was drilled by USGS during field work for an oil and gas assessment for the Eagle Ford of the Gulf Coast Basins. Cores like these provide information on the various rock layers, such as their make-up, their age, etc.
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Bakken Oil Well
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The Nation relies on oil and gas to power its economy, and unconventional gas is the fastest-growing energy resource in the United States. The U.S. Geological Survey is the authoritative, unbiased source for assessments of the world's oil and gas endowment. Come learn how these exciting new energy resources may contribute to the energy mix.
CRC, USGS core drilling rig
When core is drilled with a coring bit, it is captured inside the drill pipe which is pulled out of the ground. Then the core is emptied into a trough where it is marked to be put into boxes. This is a USGS Energy Resources Program coring operation for assessment of natural gas in the
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