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USGS Methodology for Assessing Continuous Petroleum Resources

August 4, 2011

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has developed a new quantitative methodology for assessing resources in continuous (unconventional) petroleum deposits. Continuous petroleum resources include shale gas, coalbed gas, and other oil and gas deposits in low-permeability ("tight") reservoirs. The methodology is based on an approach combining geologic understanding with well productivities. The methodology is probabilistic, with both input and output variables as probability distributions, and uses Monte Carlo simulation to calculate the estimates. The new methodology is an improvement of previous USGS methodologies in that it better accommodates the uncertainties in undrilled or minimally drilled deposits that must be assessed using analogs. The publication is a collection of PowerPoint slides with accompanying comments.

Publication Year 2011
Title USGS Methodology for Assessing Continuous Petroleum Resources
DOI 10.3133/ofr20111167
Authors Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Open-File Report
Series Number 2011-1167
Index ID ofr20111167
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Central Energy Resources Science Center