The Alaska Petroleum Systems project has three main objectives:
(A) conduct research that increases our understanding of Alaska petroleum systems,
(B) conduct assessments of undiscovered oil and gas resources, and
(C) deliver energy-resource information to land and resource managers, policy makers, and the public.
The project is an effort that emphasizes a balance between fundamental research and mission-critical achievements. Fundamental research (regional sequence stratigraphic and structural framework, distribution and quality of source rocks, geochronologic and thermochronologic history of critical regions, etc.) is essential because Alaska remains an underexplored energy frontier. Thus, a robust petroleum-systems framework is the key to understanding regional petroleum potential, completing our mission-critical work (mainly assessments of undiscovered petroleum resources), and responding quickly to information requests regarding new and emerging oil and gas activities (e.g., new discoveries and development of transitional reservoirs). Since 2017 the project has concentrated on complying with Department of the Interior Secretarial Order 3352, which directs the USGS to update a series of assessments across the entire Alaska North Slope. This website illustrates the breadth and depth of recently completed and ongoing research.
The USGS in 2020 completed an assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in Alaska’s Central North Slope. Estimated means of 3.6 billion barrels of oil and 8.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (associated and nonassociated) in conventional accumulations in Mississippian through Paleogene strata of State and Native lands and State waters. This assessment does not include discoveries made by industry between 2013 and 2017. Below is a list of other USGS assessments in Alaska:
- NEW - Assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources in the Central North Slope of Alaska (2020)
- Assessment of undiscovered gas hydrate resources in the North Slope of Alaska (2018)
- Susitna Basin, Southern Alaska (2018)
- National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA) (2017)
- Upper Cook Inlet Basin (2015)
- Alaska North Slope Assessment (2012)
- National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (now superseded) (2010)
- Gas Hydrates (2008)
- Circum-Arctic Resource Appraisal (2008)
- Central North Slope (2005)
- Coalbed Methane of Northern Alaska (2006)
- Yukon Flats (2003)
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - ANWR-1002 Area (1998)
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Apatite and zircon fission track data from the western Brooks Range of Arctic Alaska
Geochemical Advances in Arctic Alaska Oil Typing - North Slope Oil Correlation and Charge History
Subsurface stratigraphic picks of the Middle-Upper Triassic Shublik Formation, Alaska North Slope
USGS Alaska Petroleum Systems Project: Northern Alaska Province, Nanushuk and Torok Formations Assessment Units and Assessment Input Forms
Below are publications associated with this project.
Quantifying large-scale continental shelf margin growth and dynamics across mid-Cretaceous Arctic Alaska with detrital zircon U-Pb dating
Assessment of undiscovered gas resources in Upper Devonian to Lower Cretaceous strata of the western North Slope, Alaska, 2021
Geochemical advances in Arctic Alaska oil typing - North Slope oil correlation and charge history
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Central North Slope of Alaska, 2020
Assessment of undiscovered gas hydrate resources in the North Slope of Alaska, 2018
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Susitna Basin, southern Alaska, 2017
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Cretaceous Nanushuk and Torok Formations, Alaska North Slope, and summary of resource potential of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, 2017
Assessment of unconvential (tight) gas resources in Upper Cook Inlet Basin, South-central Alaska
National Assessment of Oil and Gas Project: geologic assessment of undiscovered gas hydrate resources on the North Slope, Alaska
Assessment of potential oil and gas resources in source rocks of the Alaska North Slope, 2012
U.S. Geological Survey 2011 assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Cook Inlet region, south-central Alaska
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Cook Inlet region, south-central Alaska, 2011
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, (NPRA) Legacy Seismic Data Archive
The National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, (NPRA) Legacy Data Archive represents one of the largest geological and geophysical data sets held by the U.S. Geological Survey. Two exploration programs by the U.S. Navy and USGS collected over 12,000 line miles of seismic data and drilled 28 wells. These programs generated a vast amount of data, analyses, and documents, much of which is presented here.
Below are news stories associated with this project.
Below are FAQ associated with this project.
Can the oil and gas that the USGS assesses be produced today?
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...
Does an assessment of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska mean there should or should not be oil and gas production in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
The USGS is an unbiased, non-regulatory science agency, and therefore we do not advocate for or against oil and gas development in any location. The USGS role is to provide scientifically robust, publicly available estimates of potential resources so decision-makers have the best possible information to manage the Nation’s resources. Learn more: About USGS USGS Energy Assessments Alaska Petroleum...
How do the USGS and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) divide up which areas to be assessed for Oil and Gas Resources?
The USGS is responsible for oil and gas assessments onshore and in state waters (up to 3 miles offshore), while the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) assesses energy resources in the Federal offshore waters and the outer continental shelf. Learn more: USGS Energy Assessments
What is the difference between the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
The National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) is a roughly 23.4 million acre area of Federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It lies in northwest Alaska and borders both the Chukchi Sea to the west and the Beaufort Sea to the north. The NPR-A was originally established in 1923 as a petroleum reserve for the U.S. Navy, then transferred to the Department of the Interior in 1976. The...
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
The Alaska Petroleum Systems project has three main objectives:
(A) conduct research that increases our understanding of Alaska petroleum systems,
(B) conduct assessments of undiscovered oil and gas resources, and
(C) deliver energy-resource information to land and resource managers, policy makers, and the public.The project is an effort that emphasizes a balance between fundamental research and mission-critical achievements. Fundamental research (regional sequence stratigraphic and structural framework, distribution and quality of source rocks, geochronologic and thermochronologic history of critical regions, etc.) is essential because Alaska remains an underexplored energy frontier. Thus, a robust petroleum-systems framework is the key to understanding regional petroleum potential, completing our mission-critical work (mainly assessments of undiscovered petroleum resources), and responding quickly to information requests regarding new and emerging oil and gas activities (e.g., new discoveries and development of transitional reservoirs). Since 2017 the project has concentrated on complying with Department of the Interior Secretarial Order 3352, which directs the USGS to update a series of assessments across the entire Alaska North Slope. This website illustrates the breadth and depth of recently completed and ongoing research.
False-color composite Landsat image of northern Alaska showing boundaries of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPRA) and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (including “1002 Area”), Native lands (transparent white polygons, existing and proposed oil fields (colored polygons), and exploration wells (white labels). Project work extends across the full 650-mile width of the North Slope and adjacent offshore. The USGS in 2020 completed an assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in Alaska’s Central North Slope. Estimated means of 3.6 billion barrels of oil and 8.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (associated and nonassociated) in conventional accumulations in Mississippian through Paleogene strata of State and Native lands and State waters. This assessment does not include discoveries made by industry between 2013 and 2017. Below is a list of other USGS assessments in Alaska:
- NEW - Assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources in the Central North Slope of Alaska (2020)
- Assessment of undiscovered gas hydrate resources in the North Slope of Alaska (2018)
- Susitna Basin, Southern Alaska (2018)
- National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA) (2017)
- Upper Cook Inlet Basin (2015)
- Alaska North Slope Assessment (2012)
- National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (now superseded) (2010)
- Gas Hydrates (2008)
- Circum-Arctic Resource Appraisal (2008)
- Central North Slope (2005)
- Coalbed Methane of Northern Alaska (2006)
- Yukon Flats (2003)
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - ANWR-1002 Area (1998)
- Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Apatite and zircon fission track data from the western Brooks Range of Arctic Alaska
The attached data are apatite and zircon fission track measurements from rock samples collected across the western Brooks Range. Table 1 contains descriptive information on each sample. Tables 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e contain single grain, apatite fission track age data for samples from each of five datasets that comprise the overall apatite fission track age dataset. Tables 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d contaiGeochemical Advances in Arctic Alaska Oil Typing - North Slope Oil Correlation and Charge History
Citation Note: These data were collected as part of a research study published in Marine and Petroleum Geology. Please reference the following paper when citing these data: Botterell, P.J., Houseknecht, D.W., Lillis, P.G, Barbanti, S.M., Dahl, J.E, and Moldowan, J.M., 2021. Geochemical advances in Arctic Alaska oil typing ? North Slope oil correlation and charge history. Marine and Petroleum GeoSubsurface stratigraphic picks of the Middle-Upper Triassic Shublik Formation, Alaska North Slope
The Middle-Upper Triassic Shublik Formation is the main source rock for Arctic Alaska oil and gas accumulations, including the supergiant Prudhoe Bay field. A revised stratigraphic framework recently has been developed in outcrop for the Shublik and related strata that delineates three large-scale stratigraphic units: 1) the lower clastic (LC) unit, 2) the middle carbonate-chert (MCC) unit, and 3)USGS Alaska Petroleum Systems Project: Northern Alaska Province, Nanushuk and Torok Formations Assessment Units and Assessment Input Forms
The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit is defined within the context of the higher-level Total Petroleum System. The Assessment Unit is shown herein as a geographic boundary interpreted, defined, and mapped by the geologist responsible for the province and incorporates a set o - Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 34Quantifying large-scale continental shelf margin growth and dynamics across mid-Cretaceous Arctic Alaska with detrital zircon U-Pb dating
Sequence stratigraphy provides a unifying framework for integrating diverse observations to interpret sedimentary basin evolution; however, key time assumptions about stratigraphic elements spanning hundreds of kilometers are rarely quantified. We integrate new detrital zircon U-Pb (DZ) dates from 28 samples with seismic mapping to establish a chronostratigraphic framework across 800 km and ~20 m.AuthorsRichard O. Lease, David W. Houseknecht, Andrew R. C. Kylander-ClarkAssessment of undiscovered gas resources in Upper Devonian to Lower Cretaceous strata of the western North Slope, Alaska, 2021
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a mean of 1,407 billion (1.4 trillion) cubic feet of gas in conventional accumulations in Upper Devonian to Lower Cretaceous strata of the western North Slope, Alaska.AuthorsDavid W. Houseknecht, Tracey J. Mercier, Christopher J. Schenk, Thomas E. Moore, William A. Rouse, Julie A. Dumoulin, William H. Craddock, Richard O. Lease, Palma J. Botterell, Margaret M. Sanders, Rebecca A. Smith, Christopher D. Connors, Christopher P. Garrity, Katherine J. Whidden, Jared T. Gooley, John W. Counts, Joshua H. Long, Christina A. DeVeraGeochemical advances in Arctic Alaska oil typing - North Slope oil correlation and charge history
The Arctic Alaska petroleum province is geologically and geochemically complex. Mixed hydrocarbon charge from multiple source rocks and/or levels of thermal maturity is common within an individual oil pool. Biomarker and chemometric statistical analyses were used to correlate twenty-nine oils to five oil families derived from: (1) Triassic Shublik Formation (calcareous organofacies), (2) TriassicAuthorsPalma J. Botterell, David W. Houseknecht, Paul G. Lillis, Silvana M. Barbanti, Jeremy E. Dahl, J. Michael MoldowanAssessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Central North Slope of Alaska, 2020
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 3.6 billion barrels of oil and 8.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (associated and nonassociated) in conventional accumulations in Mississippian through Paleogene strata in the central North Slope of Alaska.AuthorsDavid W. Houseknecht, Katherine J. Whidden, Christopher D. Connors, Richard O. Lease, Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, William A. Rouse, Palma J. Botterell, Rebecca A. Smith, Margaret M. Sanders, William H. Craddock, Christina A. DeVera, Christopher P. Garrity, Marc L. Buursink, C. Özgen Karacan, Samuel J. Heller, Thomas E. Moore, Julie A. Dumoulin, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Katherine L. French, Cheryl A. Woodall, Ronald M. Drake, Kristen R. Marra, Thomas M. Finn, Scott A. Kinney, Chilisa M. ShortenAssessment of undiscovered gas hydrate resources in the North Slope of Alaska, 2018
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of about 54 trillion cubic feet of gas resources within gas hydrates in the North Slope of Alaska.AuthorsTimothy S. Collett, Kristen A. Lewis, Margarita V. Zyrianova, Seth S. Haines, Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Michael E. Brownfield, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Kristen R. Marra, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Janet K. Pitman, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Cheryl A. Woodall, David W. HouseknechtAssessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Susitna Basin, southern Alaska, 2017
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently completed an assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in the Susitna Basin of southern Alaska. Using a geology-based methodology, the USGS estimates that mean undiscovered volumes of about 2 million barrels of oil and nearly 1.7 trillion cubic feet of gas may be found in this area.AuthorsRichard G. Stanley, Christopher J. Potter, Kristen A. Lewis, Paul G. Lillis, Anjana K. Shah, Peter J. Haeussler, Jeffrey D. Phillips, Zenon C. Valin, Christopher J. Schenk, Timothy R. Klett, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald M. Drake, Thomas M. Finn, Seth S. Haines, Debra K. Higley, David W. Houseknecht, Phuong A. Le, Kristen R. Marra, Tracey J. Mercier, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Stanley T. Paxton, Ofori N. Pearson, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Cheryl A. Woodall, Margarita V. ZyrianovaAssessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Cretaceous Nanushuk and Torok Formations, Alaska North Slope, and summary of resource potential of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, 2017
The U.S. Geological Survey estimated mean undiscovered, technically recoverable resources of 8.7 billion barrels of oil and 25 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (associated and nonassociated) in conventional accumulations in the Cretaceous Nanushuk and Torok Formations in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, adjacent State and Native lands, and State waters. The estimated undiscovered oil reAuthorsDavid W. Houseknecht, Richard O. Lease, Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, William A. Rouse, Palma J. Botterell, Katherine J. Whidden, Christopher P. Garrity, Kristen A. Lewis, Samuel J. Heller, William H. Craddock, Timothy R. Klett, Phuong A. Le, Rebecca A. Smith, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Cheryl A. Woodall, Michael E. Brownfield, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Thomas M. FinnAssessment of unconvential (tight) gas resources in Upper Cook Inlet Basin, South-central Alaska
A geologic model was developed for the assessment of potential Mesozoic tight-gas resources in the deep, central part of upper Cook Inlet Basin, south-central Alaska. The basic premise of the geologic model is that organic-bearing marine shales of the Middle Jurassic Tuxedni Group achieved adequate thermal maturity for oil and gas generation in the central part of the basin largely due to severalAuthorsChristopher J. Schenk, Philip H. Nelson, Timothy R. Klett, Phuong A. Le, Christopher P. AndersonNational Assessment of Oil and Gas Project: geologic assessment of undiscovered gas hydrate resources on the North Slope, Alaska
Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey have completed the first assessment of the undiscovered, technically recoverable gas hydrate resources beneath the North Slope of Alaska. This assessment indicates the existence of technically recoverable gas hydrate resources—that is, resources that can be discovered, developed, and produced using current technology. The approach used in this assessmentAuthorsTimothy S. USGS AK Gas Hydrate Assessment Team: Collett, Warren F. Agena, Myung Woong Lee, Kristen A. Lewis, Margarita V. Zyrianova, Kenneth J. Bird, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, David W. Houseknecht, Timothy R. Klett, Richard M. PollastroAssessment of potential oil and gas resources in source rocks of the Alaska North Slope, 2012
The U.S. Geological Survey estimated potential, technically recoverable oil and gas resources for source rocks of the Alaska North Slope. Estimates (95-percent to 5-percent probability) range from zero to 2 billion barrels of oil and from zero to nearly 80 trillion cubic feet of gas.AuthorsDavid W. Houseknecht, William A. Rouse, Christopher P. Garrity, Katherine J. Whidden, Julie A. Dumoulin, Christopher J. Schenk, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Mark A. Kirschbaum, Richard M. PollastroU.S. Geological Survey 2011 assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Cook Inlet region, south-central Alaska
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has completed an assessment of the volumes of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in conventional and continuous accumulations in Cook Inlet. The assessment used a geology-based methodology and results from new scientific research by the USGS and the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological and Geophysical SuAuthorsRichard G. Stanley, Brenda S. Pierce, David W. HouseknechtAssessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Cook Inlet region, south-central Alaska, 2011
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently completed a new assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in the Cook Inlet region of south-central Alaska. Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the USGS estimates that mean undiscovered volumes of nearly 600 million barrels of oil, about 19 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and 46 million barrels of natural gasAuthorsRichard G. Stanley, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, David W. Houseknecht, Timothy R. Klett, Kristen A. Lewis, Paul G. Lillis, Philip H. Nelson, Jeffrey D. Phillips, Richard M. Pollastro, Christopher J. Potter, William A. Rouse, Richard W. Saltus, Christopher J. Schenk, Anjana K. Shah, Zenon C. Valin - Web Tools
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, (NPRA) Legacy Seismic Data Archive
The National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, (NPRA) Legacy Data Archive represents one of the largest geological and geophysical data sets held by the U.S. Geological Survey. Two exploration programs by the U.S. Navy and USGS collected over 12,000 line miles of seismic data and drilled 28 wells. These programs generated a vast amount of data, analyses, and documents, much of which is presented here.
- News
Below are news stories associated with this project.
- FAQ
Below are FAQ associated with this project.
Can the oil and gas that the USGS assesses be produced today?
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...
Does an assessment of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska mean there should or should not be oil and gas production in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
The USGS is an unbiased, non-regulatory science agency, and therefore we do not advocate for or against oil and gas development in any location. The USGS role is to provide scientifically robust, publicly available estimates of potential resources so decision-makers have the best possible information to manage the Nation’s resources. Learn more: About USGS USGS Energy Assessments Alaska Petroleum...
How do the USGS and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) divide up which areas to be assessed for Oil and Gas Resources?
The USGS is responsible for oil and gas assessments onshore and in state waters (up to 3 miles offshore), while the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) assesses energy resources in the Federal offshore waters and the outer continental shelf. Learn more: USGS Energy Assessments
What is the difference between the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
The National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) is a roughly 23.4 million acre area of Federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It lies in northwest Alaska and borders both the Chukchi Sea to the west and the Beaufort Sea to the north. The NPR-A was originally established in 1923 as a petroleum reserve for the U.S. Navy, then transferred to the Department of the Interior in 1976. The...
- Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.