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Nick Gianoutsos

Physical Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey at the Central Energy Resources Science Center in Denver, CO.

Nick Gianoutsos is a physical scientist with the Central Energy Resources Science Center of the US Geological Survey. He earned his M.S. in computer science from Texas Tech University, and a B.S. in computer science from West Texas A&M University. Before joining the Survey, he worked as a hydrographer on a NOAA research vessel mapping the bathymetry of the ocean floor and served as a park ranger in Denali National Park. His current research interests include water use associated with hydraulic fracturing, pressure regimes in sedimentary basins, geographic information systems, and remote sensing.

Professional Experience

  • Physical Scientist with the Central Energy Resources Science Center of the US Geological Survey

  • Hydrographer at NOAA

  • Park Ranger in Denali National Park

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. in computer science from Texas Tech University

  • B.S. in computer science from West Texas A&M University

Science and Products

USGS scientist standing taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Montana

Orphan Wells

The Orphan Wells Project conducts research on orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells across the nation to better understand the extent of methane emissions and ongoing risks to groundwater contamination. The goal of this research is to provide information that can support prioritizing orphan wells for plugging, and repurposing wells for uses such as new hydrocarbon production, carbon capture and...
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
Orphan Wells

Orphan Wells

The Orphan Wells Project conducts research on orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells across the nation to better understand the extent of methane emissions and ongoing risks to groundwater contamination. The goal of this research is to provide information that can support prioritizing orphan wells for plugging, and repurposing wells for uses such as new hydrocarbon production, carbon capture and...
Learn More
USGS

Linking orphaned oil & gas wells with groundwater quality

This project will combine the 117,000 orphaned oil and gas wells in the USGS Orphaned Well Dataset with groundwater quality data from the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) to create a data product that can be used to analyze the interactions between orphaned wells, groundwater, and hazards to the environment.
By
Community for Data Integration (CDI)
Linking orphaned oil & gas wells with groundwater quality

Linking orphaned oil & gas wells with groundwater quality

This project will combine the 117,000 orphaned oil and gas wells in the USGS Orphaned Well Dataset with groundwater quality data from the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) to create a data product that can be used to analyze the interactions between orphaned wells, groundwater, and hazards to the environment.
Learn More

Data from Controlled Laboratory and Field Experiments of Flow Meters with Rigid Chambers to Measure Gas Fluxes from December 2023 to February 2024 Data from Controlled Laboratory and Field Experiments of Flow Meters with Rigid Chambers to Measure Gas Fluxes from December 2023 to February 2024

This dataset contains the data from laboratory and field testing of protocols to measure gas fluxes through mass flow meters attached to rigid chambers sealed to the ground. These tests demonstrate the quality of the ground seal and weather conditions around the chamber are critical for the quality of the data obtained from the technique. This measurement approach is useful for...
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Data from Methane Emission Measurements and Isotope Geochemistry Samples from Orphan Oil and Gas Wells on the Kevin-Sunburst Dome in Montana, U.S.A., from April 2021 to October 2023 Data from Methane Emission Measurements and Isotope Geochemistry Samples from Orphan Oil and Gas Wells on the Kevin-Sunburst Dome in Montana, U.S.A., from April 2021 to October 2023

This dataset contains methane emissions measurements, gas compositions, and methane carbon isotope geochemistry analysis results from orphan oil and gas wells in the Kevin-Sunburst Dome in Toole County, Montana. Emissions measurements were taken between 2021 and 2023, and gas samples were collected in July, 2023.
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Measurements of Water Quality Constituents in Groundwater Within 1 Mile (1.61 km) of Orphaned Wells in the United States Measurements of Water Quality Constituents in Groundwater Within 1 Mile (1.61 km) of Orphaned Wells in the United States

This is a combined dataset from the USGS Orphaned Well Dataset (Grove and Merrill, 2022) and publicly available data from the USGS National Water Information System, NWIS, obtained via the Water Quality Portal using the USGS Python dataretrieval library. This dataset is composed of water quality measurements from groundwater sites located within 1 mile of the locations of unplugged...
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Community for Data Integration (CDI)

Aggregated Oil and Natural Gas Drilling and Production History of the United States (ver. 1.1, April 2023) Aggregated Oil and Natural Gas Drilling and Production History of the United States (ver. 1.1, April 2023)

This data release provides several datasets that provide an overview of oil and gas well history and production of the United States, from 1817 to September 1, 2022. Well history data is aggregated into 1- and 10-mile squares indicating the total number of wells and counts of wells classified as oil, gas, dry, injection, hydraulically fractured, and/or horizontal wells. Well history is...
By
Central Energy Resources Science Center

Input forms for 2019 water and proppant assessment of the Eagle Ford Group, Gulf Coast, Texas Input forms for 2019 water and proppant assessment of the Eagle Ford Group, Gulf Coast, Texas

The input form provides a record of the complete input values required for the quantitative assessment of water and proppant associated with oil and gas production for the continuous oil and gas resource in a geologically defined Assessment Unit. The same input form template is used for all such assessments. Each USGS water and proppant assessment builds from a USGS petroleum assessment...
By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA
USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA
USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA
USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA

USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA

USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA

USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA. Photo Credit: Karl Haase

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA

USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA

USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA

USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA. Photo Credit: Karl Haase

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
USGS scientist standing taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Montana
USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT, 1
USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT, 1
USGS scientist standing taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Montana

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT, 1

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT, 1

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT.  Photo Credit: Nick Gianoutsos

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
USGS scientist standing taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Montana

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT, 1

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT, 1

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT.  Photo Credit: Nick Gianoutsos

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
USGS Scientist taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Montana
USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT
USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT
USGS Scientist taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Montana

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT.  Photo Credit: Nick Gianoutsos

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
USGS Scientist taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Montana

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT.  Photo Credit: Nick Gianoutsos

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.
An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.
An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.
An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.

An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.

An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.

An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT. Photo credit: Nick Gianoutsos

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.

An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.

An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.

An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT. Photo credit: Nick Gianoutsos

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
Filter Total Items: 28

Evaluating mass flow meter measurements from chambers for greenhouse gas emissions from orphan wells and other point sources Evaluating mass flow meter measurements from chambers for greenhouse gas emissions from orphan wells and other point sources

This study evaluates the performance of a rigid gas flux chamber equipped with a mass flow meter (MFM) for measuring gas emissions from leaking orphan wells and similar pressure-driven gas point sources. We conducted a series of laboratory and field experiments to evaluate the sensitivity, stability, and dynamic range of an MFM chamber system and found an optimal method for sealing the...
Authors
Karl Haase, Nicholas Gianoutsos
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

A geospatial analysis of water-quality threats from orphan wells in principal and secondary aquifers of the United States A geospatial analysis of water-quality threats from orphan wells in principal and secondary aquifers of the United States

Throughout the history of oil and gas production in the United States, millions of wells have been drilled for exploration and energy production. Hundreds of thousands of unplugged wells are no longer actively producing and are currently under orphan status, with no responsible party obligated for plugging. Orphan wells can pose threats to water resources by providing pathways for...
Authors
Joshua Woda, Karl B. Haase, Nicholas Gianoutsos, Kalle Jahn, Kristina Gutchess
By
New York Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Lower Cretaceous Hosston and Travis Peak Formations, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2024 Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Lower Cretaceous Hosston and Travis Peak Formations, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2024

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 28 million barrels of oil and 35.8 trillion cubic feet of gas in conventional and continuous accumulations within the Lower Cretaceous Hosston and Travis Peak Formations of the onshore U.S. Gulf Coast region.
Authors
Lauri Burke, Stanley Paxton, Scott Kinney, Nicholas Gianoutsos, Russell F. Dubiel, Janet K. Pitman, Christopher Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Phuong A. Le, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

How quickly do oil and gas wells “Water Out”? Quantifying and contrasting water production trends How quickly do oil and gas wells “Water Out”? Quantifying and contrasting water production trends

Water production from petroleum (oil and natural gas) wells is a topic of increasing environmental and economic importance, yet quantification efforts have been limited to date, and patterns between and within petroleum plays are largely unscrutinized. Additionally, classification of reservoirs as “unconventional” (also known as “continuous”) carries scientific and regulatory importance...
Authors
Seth Haines, Brian Varela, Marilyn Tennyson, Nicholas Gianoutsos
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Examining water and proppant demand, and produced water production, associated with petroleum resource development in the Eagle Ford Group, Texas Examining water and proppant demand, and produced water production, associated with petroleum resource development in the Eagle Ford Group, Texas

More than 20,000 horizontal wells have been drilled and hydraulically fractured in the Eagle Ford Group since the discovery well in 2008, but a considerable amount of undiscovered petroleum remains. Recently, drilled wells have been hydraulically fractured with an average of nearly 13 million gallons of water and 16 million lb of sand, yielding a million or more gallons of produced water...
Authors
Nicholas Gianoutsos, Seth Haines, Brian Varela, Katherine Whidden
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geologic sources and well integrity impact methane emissions from orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells Geologic sources and well integrity impact methane emissions from orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells

The 160-year history of oil and gas drilling in the United States has left a legacy of unplugged orphaned and abandoned wells, some of which are leaking methane and other hazardous chemicals into the environment. The locations of around 120,000 documented orphaned wells are currently known with the number of undocumented orphaned wells possibly ranging towards a million. The bulk of...
Authors
Nicholas Gianoutsos, Karl B. Haase, Justin Birdwell
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Analysis of the United States documented unplugged orphaned oil and gas well dataset Analysis of the United States documented unplugged orphaned oil and gas well dataset

In coordination with the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and in response to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) produced a documented unplugged orphaned oil and gas well dataset (called the DOW dataset hereafter) that contains the location and status of these wells nationwide as of 2022. The DOW dataset includes 117,672 wells across 27 states...
Authors
Matthew Merrill, Claire Grove, Nicholas Gianoutsos, Philip A. Freeman
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Geologic models underpinning the 2018 US Geological Survey assessment of hydrocarbon resources in the Eagle Ford Group and associated Cenomanian–Turonian strata, United States Gulf Coast, Texas Geologic models underpinning the 2018 US Geological Survey assessment of hydrocarbon resources in the Eagle Ford Group and associated Cenomanian–Turonian strata, United States Gulf Coast, Texas

The availability of new geologic and production data has greatly increased since 2010, when the US Geological Survey (USGS) last assessed undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in the Cenomanian–Turonian (CT) Eagle Ford Group (EFG) across Texas. This new information facilitated an updated assessment of undiscovered continuous oil and gas resources in the Eagle Ford...
Authors
Katherine Whidden, Janet K. Pitman, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Ofori Pearson, Nicholas Gianoutsos, Scott Kinney, Justin Birdwell, Stanley Paxton, Lauri Burke, Russell F. Dubiel
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Upper Cretaceous Austin Chalk and Tokio and Eutaw Formations, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2019 Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Upper Cretaceous Austin Chalk and Tokio and Eutaw Formations, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2019

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 6.9 billion barrels of oil and 41.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in conventional and continuous accumulations in the Upper Cretaceous Austin Chalk and Tokio and Eutaw Formations onshore and in State waters of the U.S. Gulf Coast region.
Authors
Janet Pitman, Stanley Paxton, Scott Kinney, Katherine Whidden, Seth Haines, Brian Varela, Tracey Mercier, Cheryl Woodall, Christopher Schenk, Heidi Leathers-Miller, Ofori Pearson, Lauri Burke, Phuong Le, Justin Birdwell, Nicholas Gianoutsos, Katherine French, Ronald Drake, Thomas Finn, Geoffrey Ellis, Stephanie Gaswirth, Kristen Marra, Marilyn Tennyson, Chilisa Shorten
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of water and proppant quantities associated with petroleum production from the Eagle Ford Group, Gulf Coast, Texas, 2019 Assessment of water and proppant quantities associated with petroleum production from the Eagle Ford Group, Gulf Coast, Texas, 2019

Building on a geology-based assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable petroleum resources in the Eagle Ford Group in south Texas, the U.S. Geological Survey has estimated the required water and proppant demands and formation water production volumes associated with possible future development of these petroleum resources. The results of the water and proppant assessment are...
Authors
Nicholas Gianoutsos, Seth Haines, Brian Varela, Katherine Whidden, Justin Birdwell, Lauri Burke, Ronald Drake, Thomas Finn, Katherine French, Karen E. Jenni, Scott Kinney, Phuong Le, Heidi Leathers-Miller, Kristen Marra, Tracey Mercier, Stanley Paxton, Janet Pitman, Christopher Schenk, Brian Shaffer, Chilisa Shorten, Marilyn Tennyson, Cheryl Woodall
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey input-data forms for the assessment of the Upper Jurassic Haynesville Formation, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2016 U.S. Geological Survey input-data forms for the assessment of the Upper Jurassic Haynesville Formation, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2016

Introduction In 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) completed an updated assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in the Upper Jurassic Haynesville Formation of the onshore U.S. Gulf Coast Province (Paxton and others, 2017). The Haynesville Formation was assessed using both the standard continuous (unconventional) and conventional methodologies...
Authors
Stanley Paxton, Janet Pitman, Scott Kinney, Nicholas Gianoutsos, Ofori Pearson, Katherine Whidden, Russell Dubiel, Christopher Schenk, Lauri Burke, Timothy R. Klett, Heidi Leathers-Miller, Tracey Mercier, Seth Haines, Brian Varela, Phuong Le, Thomas Finn, Stephanie Gaswirth, Sarah Hawkins, Kristen Marra, Marilyn E. Tennyson
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey input-data forms for the assessment of the Upper Jurassic Bossier Formation, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2016 U.S. Geological Survey input-data forms for the assessment of the Upper Jurassic Bossier Formation, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2016

Introduction In 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) completed an updated assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in the Upper Jurassic Bossier Formation of the onshore U.S. Gulf Coast Province (Paxton and others, 2017). The Bossier Formation was assessed using both the standard continuous (unconventional) and conventional methodologies established by...
Authors
Stanley Paxton, Janet Pitman, Scott Kinney, Nicholas Gianoutsos, Ofori Pearson, Katherine Whidden, Russell Dubiel, Christopher Schenk, Lauri Burke, Timothy R. Klett, Heidi Leathers-Miller, Tracey Mercier, Seth Haines, Brian Varela, Phuong Le, Thomas Finn, Stephanie Gaswirth, Sarah Hawkins, Kristen Marra, Marilyn E. Tennyson
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Groundwater Quality Data for Orphaned Well Decision-Making Groundwater Quality Data for Orphaned Well Decision-Making

This StoryMap highlights groundwater chemistry constituents near documented orphaned wells in the United States. It explores parameters like chloride, sulfate, and methane to inform plugging and remediation strategies with a variety of interactive maps.
By
Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Science and Products

USGS scientist standing taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Montana

Orphan Wells

The Orphan Wells Project conducts research on orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells across the nation to better understand the extent of methane emissions and ongoing risks to groundwater contamination. The goal of this research is to provide information that can support prioritizing orphan wells for plugging, and repurposing wells for uses such as new hydrocarbon production, carbon capture and...
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
Orphan Wells

Orphan Wells

The Orphan Wells Project conducts research on orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells across the nation to better understand the extent of methane emissions and ongoing risks to groundwater contamination. The goal of this research is to provide information that can support prioritizing orphan wells for plugging, and repurposing wells for uses such as new hydrocarbon production, carbon capture and...
Learn More
USGS

Linking orphaned oil & gas wells with groundwater quality

This project will combine the 117,000 orphaned oil and gas wells in the USGS Orphaned Well Dataset with groundwater quality data from the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) to create a data product that can be used to analyze the interactions between orphaned wells, groundwater, and hazards to the environment.
By
Community for Data Integration (CDI)
Linking orphaned oil & gas wells with groundwater quality

Linking orphaned oil & gas wells with groundwater quality

This project will combine the 117,000 orphaned oil and gas wells in the USGS Orphaned Well Dataset with groundwater quality data from the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) to create a data product that can be used to analyze the interactions between orphaned wells, groundwater, and hazards to the environment.
Learn More

Data from Controlled Laboratory and Field Experiments of Flow Meters with Rigid Chambers to Measure Gas Fluxes from December 2023 to February 2024 Data from Controlled Laboratory and Field Experiments of Flow Meters with Rigid Chambers to Measure Gas Fluxes from December 2023 to February 2024

This dataset contains the data from laboratory and field testing of protocols to measure gas fluxes through mass flow meters attached to rigid chambers sealed to the ground. These tests demonstrate the quality of the ground seal and weather conditions around the chamber are critical for the quality of the data obtained from the technique. This measurement approach is useful for...
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Data from Methane Emission Measurements and Isotope Geochemistry Samples from Orphan Oil and Gas Wells on the Kevin-Sunburst Dome in Montana, U.S.A., from April 2021 to October 2023 Data from Methane Emission Measurements and Isotope Geochemistry Samples from Orphan Oil and Gas Wells on the Kevin-Sunburst Dome in Montana, U.S.A., from April 2021 to October 2023

This dataset contains methane emissions measurements, gas compositions, and methane carbon isotope geochemistry analysis results from orphan oil and gas wells in the Kevin-Sunburst Dome in Toole County, Montana. Emissions measurements were taken between 2021 and 2023, and gas samples were collected in July, 2023.
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Measurements of Water Quality Constituents in Groundwater Within 1 Mile (1.61 km) of Orphaned Wells in the United States Measurements of Water Quality Constituents in Groundwater Within 1 Mile (1.61 km) of Orphaned Wells in the United States

This is a combined dataset from the USGS Orphaned Well Dataset (Grove and Merrill, 2022) and publicly available data from the USGS National Water Information System, NWIS, obtained via the Water Quality Portal using the USGS Python dataretrieval library. This dataset is composed of water quality measurements from groundwater sites located within 1 mile of the locations of unplugged...
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Community for Data Integration (CDI)

Aggregated Oil and Natural Gas Drilling and Production History of the United States (ver. 1.1, April 2023) Aggregated Oil and Natural Gas Drilling and Production History of the United States (ver. 1.1, April 2023)

This data release provides several datasets that provide an overview of oil and gas well history and production of the United States, from 1817 to September 1, 2022. Well history data is aggregated into 1- and 10-mile squares indicating the total number of wells and counts of wells classified as oil, gas, dry, injection, hydraulically fractured, and/or horizontal wells. Well history is...
By
Central Energy Resources Science Center

Input forms for 2019 water and proppant assessment of the Eagle Ford Group, Gulf Coast, Texas Input forms for 2019 water and proppant assessment of the Eagle Ford Group, Gulf Coast, Texas

The input form provides a record of the complete input values required for the quantitative assessment of water and proppant associated with oil and gas production for the continuous oil and gas resource in a geologically defined Assessment Unit. The same input form template is used for all such assessments. Each USGS water and proppant assessment builds from a USGS petroleum assessment...
By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA
USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA
USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA
USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA

USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA

USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA

USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA. Photo Credit: Karl Haase

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA

USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA

USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA

USGS and NETL scientists measuring methane emissions from an orphan well in Hillman State Park, PA. Photo Credit: Karl Haase

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
USGS scientist standing taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Montana
USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT, 1
USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT, 1
USGS scientist standing taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Montana

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT, 1

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT, 1

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT.  Photo Credit: Nick Gianoutsos

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
USGS scientist standing taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Montana

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT, 1

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT, 1

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT.  Photo Credit: Nick Gianoutsos

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
USGS Scientist taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Montana
USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT
USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT
USGS Scientist taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Montana

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT.  Photo Credit: Nick Gianoutsos

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
USGS Scientist taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Montana

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT

USGS scientist Karl Haase taking a methane reading from an orphan well in Toole County, MT.  Photo Credit: Nick Gianoutsos

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.
An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.
An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.
An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.

An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.

An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.

An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT. Photo credit: Nick Gianoutsos

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.

An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.

An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT.

An orphan well sits open and exposed to the environment in Toole County, MT. Photo credit: Nick Gianoutsos

By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
Filter Total Items: 28

Evaluating mass flow meter measurements from chambers for greenhouse gas emissions from orphan wells and other point sources Evaluating mass flow meter measurements from chambers for greenhouse gas emissions from orphan wells and other point sources

This study evaluates the performance of a rigid gas flux chamber equipped with a mass flow meter (MFM) for measuring gas emissions from leaking orphan wells and similar pressure-driven gas point sources. We conducted a series of laboratory and field experiments to evaluate the sensitivity, stability, and dynamic range of an MFM chamber system and found an optimal method for sealing the...
Authors
Karl Haase, Nicholas Gianoutsos
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

A geospatial analysis of water-quality threats from orphan wells in principal and secondary aquifers of the United States A geospatial analysis of water-quality threats from orphan wells in principal and secondary aquifers of the United States

Throughout the history of oil and gas production in the United States, millions of wells have been drilled for exploration and energy production. Hundreds of thousands of unplugged wells are no longer actively producing and are currently under orphan status, with no responsible party obligated for plugging. Orphan wells can pose threats to water resources by providing pathways for...
Authors
Joshua Woda, Karl B. Haase, Nicholas Gianoutsos, Kalle Jahn, Kristina Gutchess
By
New York Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Lower Cretaceous Hosston and Travis Peak Formations, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2024 Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Lower Cretaceous Hosston and Travis Peak Formations, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2024

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 28 million barrels of oil and 35.8 trillion cubic feet of gas in conventional and continuous accumulations within the Lower Cretaceous Hosston and Travis Peak Formations of the onshore U.S. Gulf Coast region.
Authors
Lauri Burke, Stanley Paxton, Scott Kinney, Nicholas Gianoutsos, Russell F. Dubiel, Janet K. Pitman, Christopher Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Phuong A. Le, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

How quickly do oil and gas wells “Water Out”? Quantifying and contrasting water production trends How quickly do oil and gas wells “Water Out”? Quantifying and contrasting water production trends

Water production from petroleum (oil and natural gas) wells is a topic of increasing environmental and economic importance, yet quantification efforts have been limited to date, and patterns between and within petroleum plays are largely unscrutinized. Additionally, classification of reservoirs as “unconventional” (also known as “continuous”) carries scientific and regulatory importance...
Authors
Seth Haines, Brian Varela, Marilyn Tennyson, Nicholas Gianoutsos
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Examining water and proppant demand, and produced water production, associated with petroleum resource development in the Eagle Ford Group, Texas Examining water and proppant demand, and produced water production, associated with petroleum resource development in the Eagle Ford Group, Texas

More than 20,000 horizontal wells have been drilled and hydraulically fractured in the Eagle Ford Group since the discovery well in 2008, but a considerable amount of undiscovered petroleum remains. Recently, drilled wells have been hydraulically fractured with an average of nearly 13 million gallons of water and 16 million lb of sand, yielding a million or more gallons of produced water...
Authors
Nicholas Gianoutsos, Seth Haines, Brian Varela, Katherine Whidden
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geologic sources and well integrity impact methane emissions from orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells Geologic sources and well integrity impact methane emissions from orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells

The 160-year history of oil and gas drilling in the United States has left a legacy of unplugged orphaned and abandoned wells, some of which are leaking methane and other hazardous chemicals into the environment. The locations of around 120,000 documented orphaned wells are currently known with the number of undocumented orphaned wells possibly ranging towards a million. The bulk of...
Authors
Nicholas Gianoutsos, Karl B. Haase, Justin Birdwell
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Analysis of the United States documented unplugged orphaned oil and gas well dataset Analysis of the United States documented unplugged orphaned oil and gas well dataset

In coordination with the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and in response to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) produced a documented unplugged orphaned oil and gas well dataset (called the DOW dataset hereafter) that contains the location and status of these wells nationwide as of 2022. The DOW dataset includes 117,672 wells across 27 states...
Authors
Matthew Merrill, Claire Grove, Nicholas Gianoutsos, Philip A. Freeman
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Geologic models underpinning the 2018 US Geological Survey assessment of hydrocarbon resources in the Eagle Ford Group and associated Cenomanian–Turonian strata, United States Gulf Coast, Texas Geologic models underpinning the 2018 US Geological Survey assessment of hydrocarbon resources in the Eagle Ford Group and associated Cenomanian–Turonian strata, United States Gulf Coast, Texas

The availability of new geologic and production data has greatly increased since 2010, when the US Geological Survey (USGS) last assessed undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in the Cenomanian–Turonian (CT) Eagle Ford Group (EFG) across Texas. This new information facilitated an updated assessment of undiscovered continuous oil and gas resources in the Eagle Ford...
Authors
Katherine Whidden, Janet K. Pitman, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Ofori Pearson, Nicholas Gianoutsos, Scott Kinney, Justin Birdwell, Stanley Paxton, Lauri Burke, Russell F. Dubiel
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Upper Cretaceous Austin Chalk and Tokio and Eutaw Formations, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2019 Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Upper Cretaceous Austin Chalk and Tokio and Eutaw Formations, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2019

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 6.9 billion barrels of oil and 41.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in conventional and continuous accumulations in the Upper Cretaceous Austin Chalk and Tokio and Eutaw Formations onshore and in State waters of the U.S. Gulf Coast region.
Authors
Janet Pitman, Stanley Paxton, Scott Kinney, Katherine Whidden, Seth Haines, Brian Varela, Tracey Mercier, Cheryl Woodall, Christopher Schenk, Heidi Leathers-Miller, Ofori Pearson, Lauri Burke, Phuong Le, Justin Birdwell, Nicholas Gianoutsos, Katherine French, Ronald Drake, Thomas Finn, Geoffrey Ellis, Stephanie Gaswirth, Kristen Marra, Marilyn Tennyson, Chilisa Shorten
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of water and proppant quantities associated with petroleum production from the Eagle Ford Group, Gulf Coast, Texas, 2019 Assessment of water and proppant quantities associated with petroleum production from the Eagle Ford Group, Gulf Coast, Texas, 2019

Building on a geology-based assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable petroleum resources in the Eagle Ford Group in south Texas, the U.S. Geological Survey has estimated the required water and proppant demands and formation water production volumes associated with possible future development of these petroleum resources. The results of the water and proppant assessment are...
Authors
Nicholas Gianoutsos, Seth Haines, Brian Varela, Katherine Whidden, Justin Birdwell, Lauri Burke, Ronald Drake, Thomas Finn, Katherine French, Karen E. Jenni, Scott Kinney, Phuong Le, Heidi Leathers-Miller, Kristen Marra, Tracey Mercier, Stanley Paxton, Janet Pitman, Christopher Schenk, Brian Shaffer, Chilisa Shorten, Marilyn Tennyson, Cheryl Woodall
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey input-data forms for the assessment of the Upper Jurassic Haynesville Formation, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2016 U.S. Geological Survey input-data forms for the assessment of the Upper Jurassic Haynesville Formation, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2016

Introduction In 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) completed an updated assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in the Upper Jurassic Haynesville Formation of the onshore U.S. Gulf Coast Province (Paxton and others, 2017). The Haynesville Formation was assessed using both the standard continuous (unconventional) and conventional methodologies...
Authors
Stanley Paxton, Janet Pitman, Scott Kinney, Nicholas Gianoutsos, Ofori Pearson, Katherine Whidden, Russell Dubiel, Christopher Schenk, Lauri Burke, Timothy R. Klett, Heidi Leathers-Miller, Tracey Mercier, Seth Haines, Brian Varela, Phuong Le, Thomas Finn, Stephanie Gaswirth, Sarah Hawkins, Kristen Marra, Marilyn E. Tennyson
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey input-data forms for the assessment of the Upper Jurassic Bossier Formation, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2016 U.S. Geological Survey input-data forms for the assessment of the Upper Jurassic Bossier Formation, U.S. Gulf Coast, 2016

Introduction In 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) completed an updated assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in the Upper Jurassic Bossier Formation of the onshore U.S. Gulf Coast Province (Paxton and others, 2017). The Bossier Formation was assessed using both the standard continuous (unconventional) and conventional methodologies established by...
Authors
Stanley Paxton, Janet Pitman, Scott Kinney, Nicholas Gianoutsos, Ofori Pearson, Katherine Whidden, Russell Dubiel, Christopher Schenk, Lauri Burke, Timothy R. Klett, Heidi Leathers-Miller, Tracey Mercier, Seth Haines, Brian Varela, Phuong Le, Thomas Finn, Stephanie Gaswirth, Sarah Hawkins, Kristen Marra, Marilyn E. Tennyson
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Groundwater Quality Data for Orphaned Well Decision-Making Groundwater Quality Data for Orphaned Well Decision-Making

This StoryMap highlights groundwater chemistry constituents near documented orphaned wells in the United States. It explores parameters like chloride, sulfate, and methane to inform plugging and remediation strategies with a variety of interactive maps.
By
Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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