Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California
Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, CaliforniaImage of an oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California, with the sun setting behind it.
Why do USGS oil and gas resource assessments differ from other oil and gas assessments from other agencies or industry?
This question cannot be answered clearly because the methods used by those organizations to estimate oil and gas resource volumes are often not publicly available to compare step-by-step.
One common reason different organizations get different results is based on what the assessments include. USGS estimates are for undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources. The USGS does not include discovered reserves in its estimates. The USGS also does not include reserves that have already been produced. Finally, the USGS does not include resources that might become technologically recoverable in the future but are not presently recoverable.
One advantage of USGS oil and gas assessments is that they are based on a publicly available methodology that is used for all oil and gas assessments. This methodology makes it so that our assumptions and methods can be seen and examined, and the fact that we use the methodology for all of our assessments means each assessment can be compared to the others in an apples-to-apples comparison.
Learn more: USGS Energy Assessments
Related
Why does the USGS decide to reassess oil and gas formations? Why does the USGS decide to reassess oil and gas formations?
The USGS regularly re-examines our assessments to see if updated information warrants a reassessment. Sometimes more information is available either from USGS research or industry production, and the USGS decides to conduct a new assessment. Learn more: USGS Energy Assessments
What is the difference between assessed oil and gas “resources” and “reserves”? What is the difference between assessed oil and gas “resources” and “reserves”?
“ Reserves” are quantities of oil and gas that are already discovered, recoverable, and commercial. Domestic reserves are tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The USGS assesses “undiscovered, technically recoverable resources,” which are those that are estimated to exist based on geologic knowledge and theory. Learn more: USGS Energy Resource Assessments
Can the oil and gas that the USGS assesses be produced today? Can the oil and gas that the USGS assesses be produced today?
USGS oil and gas assessments are for technically recoverable resources, meaning they can be produced using today’s technology and standard industry practices. However, our assessments do not look at what infrastructure would be required to produce these resources, nor does it look at whether it would be profitable to produce them. In addition, USGS assessments are for undiscovered resources, which...
How do the USGS and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) divide up which areas to be assessed for Oil and Gas Resources? How do the USGS and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) divide up which areas to be assessed for Oil and Gas Resources?
The USGS is responsible for oil and gas assessments onshore and in state waters (up to 3 miles offshore), while the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) assesses energy resources in the Federal offshore waters and the outer continental shelf. Learn more: USGS Energy Assessments
How is hydraulic fracturing related to earthquakes and tremors? How is hydraulic fracturing related to earthquakes and tremors?
Reports of hydraulic fracturing causing felt earthquakes are extremely rare. However, wastewater produced by wells that were hydraulic fractured can cause “induced” earthquakes when it is injected into deep wastewater wells. Wastewater disposal wells operate for longer durations and inject much more fluid than the hydraulic fracturing operations. Wastewater injection can raise pressure levels in...
Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California
Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California
Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, CaliforniaImage of an oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California, with the sun setting behind it.
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 MexicoA pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site near Farmington, New Mexico. Photo by Mike Duniway, USGS, SBSC.
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 MexicoA pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site near Farmington, New Mexico. Photo by Mike Duniway, USGS, SBSC.
National Oil and Gas Assessment Provinces
This is a graphic from the USGS National Oil and Gas Assessment Explorer application, which allows user to drill into 70 oil and gas assessment provinces throughout the United States.
This is a graphic from the USGS National Oil and Gas Assessment Explorer application, which allows user to drill into 70 oil and gas assessment provinces throughout the United States.
Graphic of Williston Basin Oil and Gas Wells
This is a graphic showing the boundary of the Williston Basin Province and Oil and Gas Wells, North Dakota, South Dakota and Eastern Montana, 2016
This is a graphic showing the boundary of the Williston Basin Province and Oil and Gas Wells, North Dakota, South Dakota and Eastern Montana, 2016
Aerial view of the Williston Basin
Aerial view of the Williston Basin
Unconventional Oil and Gas—Fueling the Future
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.
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.
Related
Why does the USGS decide to reassess oil and gas formations? Why does the USGS decide to reassess oil and gas formations?
The USGS regularly re-examines our assessments to see if updated information warrants a reassessment. Sometimes more information is available either from USGS research or industry production, and the USGS decides to conduct a new assessment. Learn more: USGS Energy Assessments
What is the difference between assessed oil and gas “resources” and “reserves”? What is the difference between assessed oil and gas “resources” and “reserves”?
“ Reserves” are quantities of oil and gas that are already discovered, recoverable, and commercial. Domestic reserves are tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The USGS assesses “undiscovered, technically recoverable resources,” which are those that are estimated to exist based on geologic knowledge and theory. Learn more: USGS Energy Resource Assessments
Can the oil and gas that the USGS assesses be produced today? Can the oil and gas that the USGS assesses be produced today?
USGS oil and gas assessments are for technically recoverable resources, meaning they can be produced using today’s technology and standard industry practices. However, our assessments do not look at what infrastructure would be required to produce these resources, nor does it look at whether it would be profitable to produce them. In addition, USGS assessments are for undiscovered resources, which...
How do the USGS and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) divide up which areas to be assessed for Oil and Gas Resources? How do the USGS and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) divide up which areas to be assessed for Oil and Gas Resources?
The USGS is responsible for oil and gas assessments onshore and in state waters (up to 3 miles offshore), while the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) assesses energy resources in the Federal offshore waters and the outer continental shelf. Learn more: USGS Energy Assessments
How is hydraulic fracturing related to earthquakes and tremors? How is hydraulic fracturing related to earthquakes and tremors?
Reports of hydraulic fracturing causing felt earthquakes are extremely rare. However, wastewater produced by wells that were hydraulic fractured can cause “induced” earthquakes when it is injected into deep wastewater wells. Wastewater disposal wells operate for longer durations and inject much more fluid than the hydraulic fracturing operations. Wastewater injection can raise pressure levels in...
Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California
Oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, CaliforniaImage 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, CaliforniaImage of an oil drilling platform offshore of Huntington Beach, California, with the sun setting behind it.
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 MexicoA pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site near Farmington, New Mexico. Photo by Mike Duniway, USGS, SBSC.
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 MexicoA pumpjack on an active oil or gas drilling site near Farmington, New Mexico. Photo by Mike Duniway, USGS, SBSC.
National Oil and Gas Assessment Provinces
This is a graphic from the USGS National Oil and Gas Assessment Explorer application, which allows user to drill into 70 oil and gas assessment provinces throughout the United States.
This is a graphic from the USGS National Oil and Gas Assessment Explorer application, which allows user to drill into 70 oil and gas assessment provinces throughout the United States.
Graphic of Williston Basin Oil and Gas Wells
This is a graphic showing the boundary of the Williston Basin Province and Oil and Gas Wells, North Dakota, South Dakota and Eastern Montana, 2016
This is a graphic showing the boundary of the Williston Basin Province and Oil and Gas Wells, North Dakota, South Dakota and Eastern Montana, 2016
Aerial view of the Williston Basin
Aerial view of the Williston Basin
Unconventional Oil and Gas—Fueling the Future
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.
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.
Updated Date: July 1, 2025