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Justin Birdwell

My USGS research involves the following energy-related issues: estimating undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources from U.S. petroleum systems; assessing development potential of oil shale deposits; examining environmental impacts of energy development; applying new methods to the characterization of source rocks and petroleum; and developing geochemical reference materials.

Justin Birdwell is a research engineer and geochemist with the USGS Energy Resources Program’s Gulf Coast Petroleum Systems Research project, and his research focuses on unconventional petroleum resource assessment in Gulf Coast, Rocky Mountain, and Alaskan basins, geochemical characterization of source rocks and petroleum, and development of geochemical reference materials. Justin is the current president of the AAPG Energy Minerals Division (EMD; 2021-2022), an Associate Editor of AAPG Bulletin, and a member of the AAPG House of Delegates representing the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists. 

https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=16174195400
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Justin_Birdwell
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=7xr20ZQAAAAJ

Professional Experience

  • 11/2011-Present, Research Engineer, USGS 

  • 10/2009-10/2011, Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Engineer, USGS 

  • 1/2008-9/2009, Research Associate, LSU 

  • 8/2002-12/2007, Graduate Student/Research & Teaching Assistant, LSU 

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, 2007, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Advisor: Louis J. Thibodeaux) 

  • B.S., Chemical Engineering, 2002, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 

Science and Products

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reference materials

Development of USGS Geochemical Reference Materials

The project focus was the development of traditional and microanalytical reference materials that support USGS geochemical investigations. Development of new microanalytical reference materials allows USGS scientists and outside customers to examine a greater range of sample types while maintaining a high degree of data reliability.
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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Development of USGS Geochemical Reference Materials

The project focus was the development of traditional and microanalytical reference materials that support USGS geochemical investigations. Development of new microanalytical reference materials allows USGS scientists and outside customers to examine a greater range of sample types while maintaining a high degree of data reliability.
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An image of USGS research drilling rig on side of U.S. Route 90 in Kinney County, Texas. The sky is streaked with clouds.

Gulf Coast Geologic Energy Research

The Gulf Coast Geologic Energy Assessments and Research (GEAR) project also conducts research on the properties and processes relevant to the Gulf Coast Jurassic-Cretaceous-Tertiary composite total petroleum system (TPS). This research aims to improve ongoing and future undiscovered, technically recoverable hydrocarbon resources assessments on the onshore and State waters portion of the Gulf Coast...
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
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Gulf Coast Geologic Energy Research

The Gulf Coast Geologic Energy Assessments and Research (GEAR) project also conducts research on the properties and processes relevant to the Gulf Coast Jurassic-Cretaceous-Tertiary composite total petroleum system (TPS). This research aims to improve ongoing and future undiscovered, technically recoverable hydrocarbon resources assessments on the onshore and State waters portion of the Gulf Coast...
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Extent of Gulf Coast Petroleum System Project and Oil and Gas Wells

Gulf Coast Geologic Energy Assessments

One of the main goals of the Gulf Coast Geologic Energy Assessments and Research (GEAR) project is to conduct assessments of undiscovered, technically recoverable petroleum resources of the U.S. Gulf Coast region. This goal is in accordance with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) and is performed in collaboration with the USGS National Oil and Gas Assessment project. These high-quality...
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
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Gulf Coast Geologic Energy Assessments

One of the main goals of the Gulf Coast Geologic Energy Assessments and Research (GEAR) project is to conduct assessments of undiscovered, technically recoverable petroleum resources of the U.S. Gulf Coast region. This goal is in accordance with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) and is performed in collaboration with the USGS National Oil and Gas Assessment project. These high-quality...
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Filter Total Items: 18

SEM-CL investigation of sedimentary organic matter samples

High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) visualization of sedimentary organic matter (SOM) is widely utilized in the geosciences for evaluation of microscale rock properties relevant to depositional environment, diagenesis, and the processes of fluid generation, transport, and storage. However, despite thousands of studies which have incorporated SEM approaches, the inability of SEM to d
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Total neutron scattering of methane in Niobrara Formation samples at the wet-gas maturity level

Petroleum within unconventional source-rock reservoirs is hosted in organic matter and mineral pore space as well as in voids and microfractures. Recent work has shown that for source-rock reservoirs in the dry gas window, significant portions of methane (CH4), the main component of petroleum at elevated maturities, can be stored within fine organic matter porosity. However, within reservoirs at l
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Portable Raman spectroscopic analysis of bulk crushed rock

This study presents a simplified method and empirical relationships for determining organic matter thermal maturity using a portable Raman system equipped with a 785 nm laser, for analysis of crushed, whole-rock samples. Several sets of rocks comprised of shale and coal samples with various mineralogical composition, thermal maturity, total organic carbon (TOC), and age were used to test the metho
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National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Geochemical and spectroscopic data on outcrop samples from the informal Uteland Butte member of the Eocene Green River Formation in Uinta Basin, Utah

The informal Uteland Butte member of the Eocene Green River Formation in the Uinta Basin, Utah is one of the few examples of a continuous petroleum resource play in the world situated in a lacustrine sedimentary basin (Johnson and others, 2015; Birdwell and others, 2016). The datasets compiled here were collected on outcrop samples of the Uteland Butte member with the purpose of better characteriz
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geochemical data for the Green River Formation in the Piceance Basin, Colorado: Major and trace element concentrations and total organic carbon content

The Eocene Green River Formation in the Piceance Basin of Colorado contains some of the richest oil shale deposits in the world (Johnson and others, 2009; Birdwell and others, 2013). The datasets compiled here were collected with the purpose of refining our understanding of geochemical variability through the depositional history of Eocene Lake Uinta in Piceance Basin. The effects of salinity, wat
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

Data release for Geochemistry of the Cretaceous Mowry Shale in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming

This Data Release contains data associated with the journal article "Geochemistry of the Cretaceous Mowry Shale in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming";. Data include bulk organic geochemistry, major and trace element geochemistry, mineralogy, extractable organic matter composition, extractable biomarkers, and organic stable carbon isotope analyses.
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geochemistry data for a Re-Os geochronology study of the Eocene Green River Formation in Uinta Basin, Utah

This dataset is associated with a journal article "The Role of Organic Matter Diversity on the Re-Os Systematics of Organic-rich Sedimentary Units: Insights into the Controls of Isochron Age Determinations from the Lacustrine Green River Formation" and summarizes data generated by the Petroleum Geochemistry Research Laboratory that was used in this work. Data include bulk organic geochemistry on w
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

TOC, Reflectance and Raman Data from Eocene Green River Mahogany Zone

Geological models for petroleum generation suggest thermal conversion of oil-prone sedimentary organic matter in the presence of water promotes increased liquid saturate yield, whereas absence of water causes formation of an aromatic, cross-linked solid bitumen residue. To test the influence of exchangeable hydrogen from water, organic-rich (22 wt. percent total organic carbon, TOC) mudrock sample
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Wireline geophysical logging curves and infrared spectral data for the USGS Gulf Coast #1 West Woodway research wellbore, McLennan County, Texas

As part of a broader research program to examine domestic source rock reservoirs, the Gulf Coast Petroleum Systems project of the USGS Energy Resources Program drilled a research borehole into Late Cretaceous mudstones in McLennan County, Texas, including the Cenomanian-Turonian Eagle Ford Group. A comprehensive wireline geophysical logging suite and over 600 ft of continuous core were obtained t
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Data on Produced Water Quality and Quantities from Hydraulically Fractured Williston Basin Oil Wells

This dataset contains compositional data on 17 produced water samples from hydraulically fractured unconventional oil wells completed in the Middle Bakken and Three Forks Formations. The oil wells are located in five different wellfields across the Williston Basin. Specific gravity, conductivity, temperature, pH and oxidation-reduction potential for each sample was measured in the field. Ions (B,
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Atomic Force Microscopy-based Infrared Spectroscopy Data within Immature Eagle Ford Shale at the Nanometer-scale

The nanoscale molecular composition of kerogen is a challenging parameter to characterize given the chemical and structural complexity exhibited by this important biopolymer. However, kerogen composition will strongly impact its reactivity and so is a critical parameter to understand petroleum generation processes during kerogen catagenesis. The recent advent of tip-enhanced analytical methods, su
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Reflectance, Raman band separation and Mean multivariant curve resolution (MCR) in organic matter in Boquillas Shale

The molecular composition of petroliferous organic matter and its composition evolution throughout thermal advance are key to understanding and insight into petroleum generation. This information is critical for comprehending hydrocarbon resources in unconventional reservoirs, as source rock organic matter is highly dispersed, in contact with the surrounding mineral matrix, and may be present as m
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
Filter Total Items: 79

Intramolecular carbon isotope geochemistry of butane isomers from laboratory maturation and Monte-Carlo simulations of kerogen types I, II, and III

Position-specific (PS) carbon isotope compositions of light hydrocarbons such as propane and butane isomers (n-butane and i-butane) can provide a wealth of information on the history of natural gases in the subsurface reservoirs and other environments. For PS carbon isotope analysis of butane isomers, we have established a GC-pyrolysis-GC-isotope ratio mass spectrometry method with demonstrated ac
Authors
Xiaoqiang Li, Hao Xie, Justin E. Birdwell, Gregory McGovern, Juske Horita
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Methane pore accessibility, densification, and accommodation by organic matter in the Niobrara Formation at wet-gas thermal maturity conditions

Petroleum within unconventional source-rock reservoirs is hosted in organic matter and mineral pore space as well as in voids and microfractures. Recent work has shown that for source-rock reservoirs in the dry gas window, significant portions of methane (CH4), the main component of petroleum at elevated maturities, can be stored within fine (<5 nm) organic matter porosity. However, within reservo
Authors
Aaron M. Jubb, Leslie F. Ruppert, Tristan G. A. Youngs, Tom Headen, Justin E. Birdwell, Michael Cheshire, Martha (Rebecca) Stokes
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Assessment of continuous oil and gas resources in the Upper Jurassic Smackover Formation of the onshore U.S. Gulf Coast, 2022

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean continuous resources of 0.8 billion barrels of oil and 16 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Upper Jurassic Smackover Formation of the onshore U.S. Gulf Coast region.

Authors
Katherine J. Whidden, Justin E. Birdwell, Rand D. Gardner, Scott A. Kinney, Stanley T. Paxton, Janet K. Pitman, Christopher J. Schenk
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geochemistry of the Cretaceous Mowry Shale in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming

The siliceous nature of the Mowry Shale distinguishes it from many of the well-studied organic-rich mudstones of the Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway. Available models of organic enrichment in mudstones rarely incorporate detailed biomarker, bulk organic, inorganic, and mineralogy data. Here, we used these data to evaluate how variations in organic matter source, productivity, dilution, and pres
Authors
Katherine L. French, Justin E. Birdwell, Paul G. Lillis
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Bulk and intramolecular carbon isotopic compositions of hydrocarbon gases from laboratory pyrolysis of oil shale of the Green River Formation: Implications for isotope structures of kerogens

Evaluation of intramolecular isotope distributions within organic compounds can provide important insights into gas formation processes and structural properties of gas-generating precursors, such as kerogen, bitumen, and oil, in natural reservoirs. Until recently, little has been known about the intramolecular isotope distributions within kerogens. In this study, we conducted systematic pyrolysis
Authors
Xiaoqiang Li, Justin E. Birdwell, Juske Horita
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geochemical studies of the Green River Formation in the Piceance Basin, Colorado: I. Major, minor, and trace elements

The Eocene Green River Formation contains the largest oil shale deposits in the world and is a welldocumented example of a lacustrine depositional system. In addition, mineral resources associated with oil shale in the Piceance Basin nahcolite [NaHCO3] and dawsonite [NaAl(CO3)(OH)2)] are of current and potential economic value, respectively. Detailed geochemical analysis across the basin can aid i
Authors
Jeremy Boak, Tengfei Wu, Justin E. Birdwell
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geologic characterization and depositional history of the Uteland Butte member, Green River Formation, southwestern Uinta Basin, Utah

The 15- to 65-m-thick informal Uteland Butte member of the Eocene Green River Formation represents the first widespread transgression of Lake Uinta in the Uinta Basin, Utah. This study assesses the spatial and temporal variation of Uteland Butte member deposits along a 40-km transect in the southwestern margin of the Uinta Basin using detailed measured sections, organic and inorganic geochemical d
Authors
Ryan D. Gall, Justin E. Birdwell, Riley Brinkerhoff, Michael D. Vanden Berg
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geochemical studies of the Green River Formation in the Piceance Basin, Colorado: II. Chemofacies from hierarchical cluster analysis

Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was applied to a geochemical dataset representing the Eocene Green River Formation in the Piceance Basin of Colorado to identify chemofacies in core and outcrop samples from the basin margin and the basin center. The input dataset consisted of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and total organic carbon (TOC) content an
Authors
Tengfei Wu, Jeremy Boak, Justin E. Birdwell
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

The role of organic matter diversity on the Re-Os systematics of organic-rich sedimentary units: Insights into the controls of isochron age determinations from the lacustrine Green River Formation

The range of 187Re/188Os values measured from samples of five organic-rich lacustrine mudstones units in the Eocene Green River Formation in the easternmost Uinta Basin covaries with organic matter diversity driven by changing water column conditions. A set of samples from the Douglas Creek Member has the highest pristane/phytane ratio and lowest β-carotane/n-C30 ratio compared to overlying units,
Authors
Jeffrey T Pietras, Abby Dennett, David Selby, Justin E. Birdwell
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Evaluating aromatization of solid bitumen generated in the presence and absence of water: Implications for solid bitumen reflectance as a thermal proxy

Geological models for petroleum generation suggest thermal conversion of oil-prone sedimentary organic matter in the presence of water promotes increased liquid saturate yield, whereas absence of water causes formation of an aromatic, cross-linked solid bitumen residue. To test the influence of hydrogen from water, organic-rich (22 wt% total organic carbon, TOC) mudrock samples from the Eocene lac
Authors
Paul C. Hackley, Aaron M. Jubb, Patrick L. Smith, Ryan J. McAleer, Brett J. Valentine, Javin J. Hatcherian, Palma J. Botterell, Justin E. Birdwell
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

What’s past and ahead for the EMD

No abstract available.
Authors
Justin E. Birdwell
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Eagle Ford Group in southwest Texas

No abstract available.
Authors
Justin E. Birdwell
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

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