Publications

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...

An unknown occurrence of oil was detected near Avak Creek on Native lands on the North Slope of Alaska. Determining the source of oil was imperative for allowing stakeholders (Federal, State, and local government agencies and the landowner, an Alaska Native corporation) to make timely and informed decisions and mount a mitigation response, if required. The regional and local geological...

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is updating the 2008 assessment of conventional hydrothermal resources for the Great Basin in the western United States. As part of this work, the workflow for hydrothermal resource favorability maps is being modified to integrate modern data-driven machine learning (ML) methods. Improvements include: [1] using new and refined evidence layers (features)...

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 14.6 billion barrels of oil and 83.7 trillion cubic feet of gas in Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.

Recent seismic advancements, including AVO analysis, have redefined Alaska's Umiat field potential, revealing deeper reservoirs and increasing estimated oil in place.

This study presents estimates of future years (2024–2051) United States Federal lease coal production and the resulting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the combustion, transport, and mining of that fuel. Results from the coal production estimate indicate a decline in production from Federal leases; with known production of 240 million short tons (mtn) in 2023 and a projected decline...

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 3 million barrels of oil and 666 billion cubic feet of gas in the Phosphoria Total Petroleum System of the Southwestern Wyoming Province.

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 5.1 billion barrels of oil and 19.5 trillion cubic feet of gas in the northern Arabian Peninsula.

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 7.8 billion barrels of oil and 91.9 trillion cubic feet of gas in the West Greenland-East Canada Province.

Drilling fluid waste land application, a process where drilling wastes are spread and tilled into the land surface, has become common in some petroleum-producing states, however, the potential benefits and risks of this practice are not well studied. Drilling fluids can be water- or oil-based and can have high concentrations of total soluble salts and total petroleum hydrocarbons...

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 4,098 million barrels of oil and 13,268 billion cubic feet of gas in the North Cuba area.

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean allocated resources of 29.4 billion barrels of oil, 391.6 trillion cubic feet of gas, and 8.4 billion barrels of natural gas liquids underlying Federal lands of the onshore United States.