What is associated vs. non-associated natural gas?

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...

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

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...

Oil and gas estimates always involve some amounts of uncertainty. To account for this, the USGS presents its assessments of oil and gas potential in the form of a range based on how certain we are that this amount of oil and gas exist. The USGS uses a statistically based process (or model) to calculate the likely range of its estimates. The range of values extends from a 5% or greater likelihood...

“ 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