Publications
Browse recent USGS publications related to energy resources.
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Quantitative evaluation of vitrinite reflectance in shale using Raman spectroscopy and multivariate analysis Quantitative evaluation of vitrinite reflectance in shale using Raman spectroscopy and multivariate analysis
The current research builds upon a previously published study that demonstrated the combination of Raman spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis (MVA) for the prediction of thermal maturity in coal by evaluating the efficacy of this method for the prediction of thermal maturity in shale. MVA techniques eliminate analyst bias in peak-fitting methods by using the full Raman...
Authors
Jason S. Lupoi, Paul C. Hackley, E. Birsic, Luke P. Fritz, Logan Solotky, Amy Weislogel, Steve Schlaegle
Assessment of continuous oil and gas resources in the Beetaloo Basin, Australia, 2018 Assessment of continuous oil and gas resources in the Beetaloo Basin, Australia, 2018
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 429 million barrels of continuous oil and 8 trillion cubic feet of continuous gas in the Beetaloo Basin of northern Australia.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Cheryl A. Woodall, Thomas M. Finn, Kristen R. Marra, Michael E. Brownfield, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Ronald M. Drake
Assessment of tight-oil and tight-gas resources in the Junggar and Santanghu Basins of Northwestern China, 2018 Assessment of tight-oil and tight-gas resources in the Junggar and Santanghu Basins of Northwestern China, 2018
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 241 million barrels of tight oil and 10.1 trillion cubic feet of tight gas in the Junggar and Santanghu Basins of northwestern China.
Authors
Christopher J. Potter, Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Thomas M. Finn, Cheryl A. Woodall, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kristen R. Marra, Phuong A. Le, Ronald M. Drake, Michael E. Brownfield, Janet K. Pitman
Viable long-term gas hydrate testing site confirmed on the Alaska north slope Viable long-term gas hydrate testing site confirmed on the Alaska north slope
In December 2018, data acquired in a Stratigraphic Test Well drilled from the 7-11-12 pad in the western part of the Prudhoe Bay Unit, Alaska North Slope confirmed the occurrence of two high-quality reservoirs fully saturated with gas hydrate. The drilling was the initial phase of a planned, three-well program designed to conduct an extended duration test of the response to gas hydrate...
Authors
Ray Boswell, Scott Marsteller, Nori Okinaka, Motoi Wakatsuki, Timothy S. Collett, Robert Hunter, Tom Walsh, David Itter, Stephen Crumley
Variability of estimated ultimate recovery in shale oil and shale gas accumulations in the U.S. Variability of estimated ultimate recovery in shale oil and shale gas accumulations in the U.S.
Variability of mean EURs within and between unconventional reservoirs is becoming more apparent as thousands of wells are drilled and oil and gas is produced from unconventional low-permeability reservoirs. Production from many of these reservoirs shows that there is spatial heterogeneity of EURs, which is mainly related to geologic characteristics. The more refined view of spatial...
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller
An ANCOVA model for porosity and its uncertainty for oil reservoirs based on TORIS dataset An ANCOVA model for porosity and its uncertainty for oil reservoirs based on TORIS dataset
Porosity is one of the most important parameters to assess in-place oil or gas in reservoirs, and to evaluate recovery from enhanced production operations. Since it is relatively well-established to determine porosity using different laboratory and field methods, its value is usually determined at many locations across a reservoir as part of the common practice to capture reservoir...
Authors
C. Ozgen Karacan
Trends in biodiversity and habitat quantification tools used for market‐based conservation in the United States Trends in biodiversity and habitat quantification tools used for market‐based conservation in the United States
Market-based conservation mechanisms are designed to facilitate conservation and mitigation actions for habitat and biodiversity. Their potential is partly hindered, however, by issues surrounding the quantification tools used to assess habitat quality and functionality. Specifically, a lack of transparency and standardization in tool development and gaps in tool availability are cited...
Authors
Scott J. Chiavacci, Emily Pindilli
Application of electron microscopy TEM and SEM for analysis of coals, organic-rich shales and carbonaceous matter Application of electron microscopy TEM and SEM for analysis of coals, organic-rich shales and carbonaceous matter
This paper provides a brief summary of the history, development and variety of applications of electron microscopy techniques to analyze coals, organic-rich shales, and carbonaceous materials. General construction and principles of operation of transmitted (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) are outlined, along with guidance on specimen preparation, and a brief overview of...
Authors
B. Kwiecinska, Brett J. Valentine, S. Pusz
Assessment of Paleozoic Shale-Oil and Shale-Gas Resources in the Tarim Basin of China, 2018 Assessment of Paleozoic Shale-Oil and Shale-Gas Resources in the Tarim Basin of China, 2018
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 1.4 billion barrels of shale oil and 26.9 trillion cubic feet of shale gas in Paleozoic formations in the Tarim Basin of China.
Authors
Christopher J. Potter, Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Thomas M. Finn, Cheryl A. Woodall, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kristen R. Marra, Phuong A. Le, Ronald M. Drake, Michael E. Brownfield, Janet K. Pitman
Assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources of the Reggane Basin Province, Algeria, 2018 Assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources of the Reggane Basin Province, Algeria, 2018
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 1.3 billion barrels of oil and 63 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Reggane Basin Province of Algeria.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Michael E. Brownfield, Tracey J. Mercier, Cheryl A. Woodall, Phuong A. Le, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Thomas M. Finn, Kristen R. Marra, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Janet K. Pitman, Ronald M. Drake
Assessment of coal mine methane (CMM) and abandoned mine methane (AMM) resource potential of longwall mine panels: example from Northern Appalachian Basin, USA Assessment of coal mine methane (CMM) and abandoned mine methane (AMM) resource potential of longwall mine panels: example from Northern Appalachian Basin, USA
"Coal mine methane (CMM) and abandoned mine methane (AMM), are by-products of underground coal mining. The quantity and the emission rate of CMM and AMM may vary depending on the type of mine, gas content of the mined coal seam, and gas sourced from strata and coal beds in overlying and underlying formations affected by mining. Therefore, if a mine has the potential of accumulating gas...
Authors
C. Ozgen Karacan, Peter D. Warwick
Insights from Rock-Eval analysis on the influence of sample weight on hydrocarbon generation from Lower Permian organic-matter rich rocks, West Bokaro basin, India Insights from Rock-Eval analysis on the influence of sample weight on hydrocarbon generation from Lower Permian organic-matter rich rocks, West Bokaro basin, India
Among the different Rock-Eval parameters, the hydrocarbons released under S2 peak of Rock-Eval is of significance as it indicates the residual hydrocarbon content of the rock. Further, through its relationship with TOC content, it helps in calculating hydrogen indices (HI) which helps in understanding the type of organic-matter present in a rock [HI= (S2/TOC)*100]. The present study...
Authors
B Hazra, C. Ozgen Karacan, Mani T Devleena, Pradeep K. Singh, Ashok K. Singh