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What are "technically recoverable" oil and gas resources?

“Technically recoverable” means that the oil and/or gas can be produced using currently available technology and industry practices. This is regardless of any economic or accessibility considerations.

For example, the technology required to produce oil from a location might exist, but it costs more than the oil is worth. The oil is still technically recoverable.

Learn more: USGS Energy Assessments

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Image of an oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California, with the sun setting behind it
Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California
Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California
Image of an oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California, with the sun setting behind it

Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California

Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California

Image of an oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California, with the sun setting behind it.

By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Image of an oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California, with the sun setting behind it

Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California

Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California

Image of an oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California, with the sun setting behind it.

By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
A pumpjack at an active drilling site near Farmington, NM
A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site in New Mexico
A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site in New Mexico
A pumpjack at an active drilling site near Farmington, NM

A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site in New Mexico

A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site in New Mexico

A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site near Farmington, New Mexico. Photo by Mike Duniway, USGS, SBSC.

By
Southwest Biological Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center
A pumpjack at an active drilling site near Farmington, NM

A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site in New Mexico

A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site in New Mexico

A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site near Farmington, New Mexico. Photo by Mike Duniway, USGS, SBSC.

By
Southwest Biological Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center
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Well Drill in the Bakken Formation near Williston
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Oil and Gas1

Well Drill in the Bakken Formation near Williston

Well Drill in the Bakken Formation near Williston

Water truck in background is providing maintenance water to a producing well drilled in the Bakken Formation near Williston, North Dakota. 

By
Dakota Water Science Center
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Well Drill in the Bakken Formation near Williston

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Water truck in background is providing maintenance water to a producing well drilled in the Bakken Formation near Williston, North Dakota. 

By
Dakota Water Science Center
Oil and Gas 2
Oil Wells in ND
Oil Wells in ND
Oil and Gas 2

Oil Wells in ND

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Water is used for many direct aspects of unconventional oil and gas development including drilling, development, and maintenance of wells. (Photograph by Janet Carter, USGS)

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Dakota Water Science Center
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Oil Wells in ND

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Water is used for many direct aspects of unconventional oil and gas development including drilling, development, and maintenance of wells. (Photograph by Janet Carter, USGS)

By
Dakota Water Science Center
Image: Bakken Drill Rig
Bakken Drill Rig
Bakken Drill Rig
Image: Bakken Drill Rig

Bakken Drill Rig

Bakken Drill Rig

A drill rig in the Bakken oil field in Stark County, western North Dakota. 

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Image: Bakken Drill Rig

Bakken Drill Rig

Bakken Drill Rig

A drill rig in the Bakken oil field in Stark County, western North Dakota. 

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Photo of an active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
Active oil and gas pad near Canyonlands National Park
Active oil and gas pad near Canyonlands National Park
Photo of an active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.

Active oil and gas pad near Canyonlands National Park

Active oil and gas pad near Canyonlands National Park

Active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.

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Southwest Biological Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Photo of an active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.

Active oil and gas pad near Canyonlands National Park

Active oil and gas pad near Canyonlands National Park

Active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.

By
Southwest Biological Science Center, Communications and Publishing

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in upper Paleozoic reservoirs of the Wind River Basin, Bighorn Basin, and Powder River Basin Provinces, 2024 Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in upper Paleozoic reservoirs of the Wind River Basin, Bighorn Basin, and Powder River Basin Provinces, 2024

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 47 million barrels of oil and 876 billion cubic feet of gas in upper Paleozoic reservoirs of the Wind River Basin, Bighorn Basin, and Powder River Basin Provinces.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kira K. Timm
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

National assessment of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon dioxide retention resources — Summary National assessment of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon dioxide retention resources — Summary

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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

National assessment of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon dioxide retention resources — Results National assessment of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon dioxide retention resources — Results

In 2020, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) completed a probabilistic assessment of the volume of technically recoverable oil resources available if current carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) technologies were applied to amenable oil reservoirs underlying the onshore and State waters areas of the conterminous United States. The assessment also includes estimates of the mass of...
Authors
Peter D. Warwick, Emil D. Attanasi, Madalyn S. Blondes, Sean T. Brennan, Marc L. Buursink, Steven M. Cahan, Colin A. Doolan, Philip A. Freeman, C. Özgen Karacan, Celeste D. Lohr, Matthew D. Merrill, Ricardo A. Olea, Jenna L. Shelton, Ernie R. Slucher, Brian A. Varela
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Geology and assessment of the undiscovered, technically recoverable petroleum resources of Armenia, 2013 Geology and assessment of the undiscovered, technically recoverable petroleum resources of Armenia, 2013

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessed the undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources of Armenia in 2013. A Paleozoic and a Cenozoic total petroleum system (TPS) were identified within the country of Armenia. The postulated petroleum system elements are uncertain, resulting in low geologic probabilities for significant oil an gas resources. Two assessment units (AU)...
Authors
T. R. Klett
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources of Armenia, 2014 Assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources of Armenia, 2014

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated mean volumes of 1 million barrels of undiscovered, technically recoverable conventional oil and 6 billion cubic feet of undiscovered, technically recoverable conventional natural gas in Armenia.
Authors
Timothy R. Klett, Christopher J. Schenk, Craig J. Wandrey, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald R. Charpentier, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Donald L. Gautier
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered technically recoverable oil and gas resources of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico-U.S. Virgin Islands Exclusive Economic Zone, 2013 Assessment of undiscovered technically recoverable oil and gas resources of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico-U.S. Virgin Islands Exclusive Economic Zone, 2013

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 19 million barrels of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and 244 billion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas in the Puerto Rico–U.S. Virgin Islands Exclusive Economic Zone.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Ronald R. Charpentier, Timothy R. Klett, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Janet K. Pitman, Michael E. Brownfield, Tracey J. Mercier, Craig J. Wandrey, Jean N. Weaver
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of Undiscovered Technically Recoverable Oil and Gas Resources of the Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, Montana and North Dakota, 2008 Assessment of Undiscovered Technically Recoverable Oil and Gas Resources of the Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, Montana and North Dakota, 2008

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has completed an assessment of the undiscovered oil and associated gas resources of the Upper Devonian to Lower Mississippian Bakken Formation in the U.S. portion of the Williston Basin of Montana and North Dakota and within the Williston Basin Province. The assessment is based on geologic elements of a total petroleum system (TPS), which include (1)...
Authors
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By
Energy Resources Program

Estimates of technically recoverable petroleum resources for continuous-type (unconventional) plays in sandstones, shales, and chalks on Federal Lands of the conterminous United States Estimates of technically recoverable petroleum resources for continuous-type (unconventional) plays in sandstones, shales, and chalks on Federal Lands of the conterminous United States

No abstract available.
Authors
R. A. Crovelli, J. W. Schmoker
USGS releases assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in Wyoming, southern Montana

USGS releases assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in Wyoming, southern Montana

RESTON, Va. — The U.S. Geological Survey released its assessment of potential for undiscovered oil and gas in formations under Wyoming and parts of...

Read Article
USGS Releases Oil and Gas Assessment for the Bakken and Three Forks Formations of Montana and North Dakota

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The USGS has completed an oil and gas estimate for the Bakken and Three Forks Formations in the Williston Basin of Montana and North Dakota.  

Read Article
USGS Estimates 306 Billion Cubic Feet of Recoverable Helium in the United States

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...

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Related

Image of an oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California, with the sun setting behind it
Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California
Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California
Image of an oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California, with the sun setting behind it

Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California

Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California

Image of an oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California, with the sun setting behind it.

By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Image of an oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California, with the sun setting behind it

Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California

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Image of an oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California, with the sun setting behind it.

By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
A pumpjack at an active drilling site near Farmington, NM
A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site in New Mexico
A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site in New Mexico
A pumpjack at an active drilling site near Farmington, NM

A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site in New Mexico

A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site in New Mexico

A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site near Farmington, New Mexico. Photo by Mike Duniway, USGS, SBSC.

By
Southwest Biological Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center
A pumpjack at an active drilling site near Farmington, NM

A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site in New Mexico

A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site in New Mexico

A pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site near Farmington, New Mexico. Photo by Mike Duniway, USGS, SBSC.

By
Southwest Biological Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center
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Well Drill in the Bakken Formation near Williston
Well Drill in the Bakken Formation near Williston
Oil and Gas1

Well Drill in the Bakken Formation near Williston

Well Drill in the Bakken Formation near Williston

Water truck in background is providing maintenance water to a producing well drilled in the Bakken Formation near Williston, North Dakota. 

By
Dakota Water Science Center
Oil and Gas1

Well Drill in the Bakken Formation near Williston

Well Drill in the Bakken Formation near Williston

Water truck in background is providing maintenance water to a producing well drilled in the Bakken Formation near Williston, North Dakota. 

By
Dakota Water Science Center
Oil and Gas 2
Oil Wells in ND
Oil Wells in ND
Oil and Gas 2

Oil Wells in ND

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Water is used for many direct aspects of unconventional oil and gas development including drilling, development, and maintenance of wells. (Photograph by Janet Carter, USGS)

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Dakota Water Science Center
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Oil Wells in ND

Oil Wells in ND

Water is used for many direct aspects of unconventional oil and gas development including drilling, development, and maintenance of wells. (Photograph by Janet Carter, USGS)

By
Dakota Water Science Center
Image: Bakken Drill Rig
Bakken Drill Rig
Bakken Drill Rig
Image: Bakken Drill Rig

Bakken Drill Rig

Bakken Drill Rig

A drill rig in the Bakken oil field in Stark County, western North Dakota. 

By
Energy and Minerals, Communications and Publishing
Image: Bakken Drill Rig

Bakken Drill Rig

Bakken Drill Rig

A drill rig in the Bakken oil field in Stark County, western North Dakota. 

By
Energy and Minerals, Communications and Publishing
Photo of an active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
Active oil and gas pad near Canyonlands National Park
Active oil and gas pad near Canyonlands National Park
Photo of an active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.

Active oil and gas pad near Canyonlands National Park

Active oil and gas pad near Canyonlands National Park

Active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.

By
Southwest Biological Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Photo of an active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.

Active oil and gas pad near Canyonlands National Park

Active oil and gas pad near Canyonlands National Park

Active oil and gas pad on Bureau of Land Management lands near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.

By
Southwest Biological Science Center, Communications and Publishing

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in upper Paleozoic reservoirs of the Wind River Basin, Bighorn Basin, and Powder River Basin Provinces, 2024 Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in upper Paleozoic reservoirs of the Wind River Basin, Bighorn Basin, and Powder River Basin Provinces, 2024

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 47 million barrels of oil and 876 billion cubic feet of gas in upper Paleozoic reservoirs of the Wind River Basin, Bighorn Basin, and Powder River Basin Provinces.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kira K. Timm
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

National assessment of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon dioxide retention resources — Summary National assessment of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon dioxide retention resources — Summary

Authors
Peter D. Warwick, Emil D. Attanasi, Madalyn S. Blondes, Sean T. Brennan, Marc L. Buursink, Steven M. Cahan, Colin A. Doolan, Philip A. Freeman, C. Özgen Karacan, Celeste D. Lohr, Matthew D. Merrill, Ricardo A. Olea, Jenna L. Shelton, Ernie R. Slucher, Brian A. Varela
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

National assessment of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon dioxide retention resources — Results National assessment of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon dioxide retention resources — Results

In 2020, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) completed a probabilistic assessment of the volume of technically recoverable oil resources available if current carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) technologies were applied to amenable oil reservoirs underlying the onshore and State waters areas of the conterminous United States. The assessment also includes estimates of the mass of...
Authors
Peter D. Warwick, Emil D. Attanasi, Madalyn S. Blondes, Sean T. Brennan, Marc L. Buursink, Steven M. Cahan, Colin A. Doolan, Philip A. Freeman, C. Özgen Karacan, Celeste D. Lohr, Matthew D. Merrill, Ricardo A. Olea, Jenna L. Shelton, Ernie R. Slucher, Brian A. Varela
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Geology and assessment of the undiscovered, technically recoverable petroleum resources of Armenia, 2013 Geology and assessment of the undiscovered, technically recoverable petroleum resources of Armenia, 2013

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessed the undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources of Armenia in 2013. A Paleozoic and a Cenozoic total petroleum system (TPS) were identified within the country of Armenia. The postulated petroleum system elements are uncertain, resulting in low geologic probabilities for significant oil an gas resources. Two assessment units (AU)...
Authors
T. R. Klett
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources of Armenia, 2014 Assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources of Armenia, 2014

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated mean volumes of 1 million barrels of undiscovered, technically recoverable conventional oil and 6 billion cubic feet of undiscovered, technically recoverable conventional natural gas in Armenia.
Authors
Timothy R. Klett, Christopher J. Schenk, Craig J. Wandrey, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald R. Charpentier, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Donald L. Gautier
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered technically recoverable oil and gas resources of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico-U.S. Virgin Islands Exclusive Economic Zone, 2013 Assessment of undiscovered technically recoverable oil and gas resources of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico-U.S. Virgin Islands Exclusive Economic Zone, 2013

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 19 million barrels of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and 244 billion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas in the Puerto Rico–U.S. Virgin Islands Exclusive Economic Zone.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Ronald R. Charpentier, Timothy R. Klett, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Janet K. Pitman, Michael E. Brownfield, Tracey J. Mercier, Craig J. Wandrey, Jean N. Weaver
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of Undiscovered Technically Recoverable Oil and Gas Resources of the Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, Montana and North Dakota, 2008 Assessment of Undiscovered Technically Recoverable Oil and Gas Resources of the Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, Montana and North Dakota, 2008

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has completed an assessment of the undiscovered oil and associated gas resources of the Upper Devonian to Lower Mississippian Bakken Formation in the U.S. portion of the Williston Basin of Montana and North Dakota and within the Williston Basin Province. The assessment is based on geologic elements of a total petroleum system (TPS), which include (1)...
Authors
R. M. Pollastro, L. N. R. Roberts, T. A. Cook, M. D. Lewan
By
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Estimates of technically recoverable petroleum resources for continuous-type (unconventional) plays in sandstones, shales, and chalks on Federal Lands of the conterminous United States Estimates of technically recoverable petroleum resources for continuous-type (unconventional) plays in sandstones, shales, and chalks on Federal Lands of the conterminous United States

No abstract available.
Authors
R. A. Crovelli, J. W. Schmoker
USGS releases assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in Wyoming, southern Montana

USGS releases assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in Wyoming, southern Montana

RESTON, Va. — The U.S. Geological Survey released its assessment of potential for undiscovered oil and gas in formations under Wyoming and parts of...

Read Article
USGS Releases Oil and Gas Assessment for the Bakken and Three Forks Formations of Montana and North Dakota

USGS Releases Oil and Gas Assessment for the Bakken and Three Forks Formations of Montana and North Dakota

The USGS has completed an oil and gas estimate for the Bakken and Three Forks Formations in the Williston Basin of Montana and North Dakota.  

Read Article
USGS Estimates 306 Billion Cubic Feet of Recoverable Helium in the United States

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...

Read Article
Updated Date: March 18, 2025
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