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Justin Birdwell

My USGS research involves the following energy-related issues: estimating undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources from U.S. petroleum systems; assessing development potential of oil shale deposits; examining environmental impacts of energy development; applying new methods to the characterization of source rocks and petroleum; and developing geochemical reference materials.

Justin Birdwell is a research engineer and geochemist with the USGS Energy Resources Program’s Gulf Coast Petroleum Systems Research project, and his research focuses on unconventional petroleum resource assessment in Gulf Coast, Rocky Mountain, and Alaskan basins, geochemical characterization of source rocks and petroleum, and development of geochemical reference materials. Justin is the current president of the AAPG Energy Minerals Division (EMD; 2021-2022), an Associate Editor of AAPG Bulletin, and a member of the AAPG House of Delegates representing the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists. 

https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=16174195400
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Justin_Birdwell
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=7xr20ZQAAAAJ

Professional Experience

  • 11/2011-Present, Research Engineer, USGS 

  • 10/2009-10/2011, Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Engineer, USGS 

  • 1/2008-9/2009, Research Associate, LSU 

  • 8/2002-12/2007, Graduate Student/Research & Teaching Assistant, LSU 

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, 2007, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Advisor: Louis J. Thibodeaux) 

  • B.S., Chemical Engineering, 2002, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 

Science and Products

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reference materials

Development of USGS Geochemical Reference Materials

The project focus was the development of traditional and microanalytical reference materials that support USGS geochemical investigations. Development of new microanalytical reference materials allows USGS scientists and outside customers to examine a greater range of sample types while maintaining a high degree of data reliability.
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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Development of USGS Geochemical Reference Materials

The project focus was the development of traditional and microanalytical reference materials that support USGS geochemical investigations. Development of new microanalytical reference materials allows USGS scientists and outside customers to examine a greater range of sample types while maintaining a high degree of data reliability.
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An image of USGS research drilling rig on side of U.S. Route 90 in Kinney County, Texas. The sky is streaked with clouds.

Gulf Coast Petroleum Systems Project - Research

This site highlights the research on the processes that impact the formation, accumulation, occurrence, and alteration of hydrocarbon energy resources of the Gulf Coast of Mexico. The project also conducts assessments of undiscovered, technically recoverable hydrocarbon resources. The Gulf Coast Petroleum Systems Project focuses on the onshore and State waters portion of the Gulf Coast basin, and...
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
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Gulf Coast Petroleum Systems Project - Research

This site highlights the research on the processes that impact the formation, accumulation, occurrence, and alteration of hydrocarbon energy resources of the Gulf Coast of Mexico. The project also conducts assessments of undiscovered, technically recoverable hydrocarbon resources. The Gulf Coast Petroleum Systems Project focuses on the onshore and State waters portion of the Gulf Coast basin, and...
Learn More
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Extent of Gulf Coast Petroleum System Project and Oil and Gas Wells

Gulf Coast Petroleum Systems Project - Assessments

This site highlights the assessments of the Gulf Coast Petroleum Systems Project. Scientifically robust assessments of undiscovered, technically recoverable hydrocarbon resources are published in a variety of USGS publications. This project also conducts research on the processes that impact the formation, accumulation, occurrence and alteration of hydrocarbon energy resources. The Gulf Coast...
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Energy and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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Gulf Coast Petroleum Systems Project - Assessments

This site highlights the assessments of the Gulf Coast Petroleum Systems Project. Scientifically robust assessments of undiscovered, technically recoverable hydrocarbon resources are published in a variety of USGS publications. This project also conducts research on the processes that impact the formation, accumulation, occurrence and alteration of hydrocarbon energy resources. The Gulf Coast...
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Filter Total Items: 15

Geochemical and spectroscopic data on outcrop samples from the informal Uteland Butte member of the Eocene Green River Formation in Uinta Basin, Utah

The informal Uteland Butte member of the Eocene Green River Formation in the Uinta Basin, Utah is one of the few examples of a continuous petroleum resource play in the world situated in a lacustrine sedimentary basin (Johnson and others, 2015; Birdwell and others, 2016). The datasets compiled here were collected on outcrop samples of the Uteland Butte member with the purpose of better characteriz
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geochemical data for the Green River Formation in the Piceance Basin, Colorado: Major and trace element concentrations and total organic carbon content

The Eocene Green River Formation in the Piceance Basin of Colorado contains some of the richest oil shale deposits in the world (Johnson and others, 2009; Birdwell and others, 2013). The datasets compiled here were collected with the purpose of refining our understanding of geochemical variability through the depositional history of Eocene Lake Uinta in Piceance Basin. The effects of salinity, wat
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

Data release for Geochemistry of the Cretaceous Mowry Shale in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming

This Data Release contains data associated with the journal article "Geochemistry of the Cretaceous Mowry Shale in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming";. Data include bulk organic geochemistry, major and trace element geochemistry, mineralogy, extractable organic matter composition, extractable biomarkers, and organic stable carbon isotope analyses.
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geochemistry data for a Re-Os geochronology study of the Eocene Green River Formation in Uinta Basin, Utah

This dataset is associated with a journal article "The Role of Organic Matter Diversity on the Re-Os Systematics of Organic-rich Sedimentary Units: Insights into the Controls of Isochron Age Determinations from the Lacustrine Green River Formation" and summarizes data generated by the Petroleum Geochemistry Research Laboratory that was used in this work. Data include bulk organic geochem
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

TOC, Reflectance and Raman Data from Eocene Green River Mahogany Zone

Geological models for petroleum generation suggest thermal conversion of oil-prone sedimentary organic matter in the presence of water promotes increased liquid saturate yield, whereas absence of water causes formation of an aromatic, cross-linked solid bitumen residue. To test the influence of exchangeable hydrogen from water, organic-rich (22 wt. percent total organic carbon, TOC) mudrock sample
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Wireline geophysical logging curves and infrared spectral data for the USGS Gulf Coast #1 West Woodway research wellbore, McLennan County, Texas

As part of a broader research program to examine domestic source rock reservoirs, the Gulf Coast Petroleum Systems project of the USGS Energy Resources Program drilled a research borehole into Late Cretaceous mudstones in McLennan County, Texas, including the Cenomanian-Turonian Eagle Ford Group. A comprehensive wireline geophysical logging suite and over 600 ft of continuous core were obtained t
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Data on Produced Water Quality and Quantities from Hydraulically Fractured Williston Basin Oil Wells

This dataset contains compositional data on 17 produced water samples from hydraulically fractured unconventional oil wells completed in the Middle Bakken and Three Forks Formations. The oil wells are located in five different wellfields across the Williston Basin. Specific gravity, conductivity, temperature, pH and oxidation-reduction potential for each sample was measured in the field. Ions (B,
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Atomic Force Microscopy-based Infrared Spectroscopy Data within Immature Eagle Ford Shale at the Nanometer-scale

The nanoscale molecular composition of kerogen is a challenging parameter to characterize given the chemical and structural complexity exhibited by this important biopolymer. However, kerogen composition will strongly impact its reactivity and so is a critical parameter to understand petroleum generation processes during kerogen catagenesis. The recent advent of tip-enhanced analytical methods, su
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Reflectance, Raman band separation and Mean multivariant curve resolution (MCR) in organic matter in Boquillas Shale

The molecular composition of petroliferous organic matter and its composition evolution throughout thermal advance are key to understanding and insight into petroleum generation. This information is critical for comprehending hydrocarbon resources in unconventional reservoirs, as source rock organic matter is highly dispersed, in contact with the surrounding mineral matrix, and may be present as m
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Results from geochemical and mineralogical characterization of Boquillas Shale geochemical reference material ShBOQ-1

This data release accompanies a Fact Sheet on the ShBOQ-1 geochemical reference material (Birdwell and Wilson, 2021). Average and standard deviations reported in the Fact Sheet were calculated using the values compiled here.
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

Results of leaching experiments on 12 energy-related shales from the United States

Inorganic compositions of flowback and co-produced waters from hydrocarbon extraction have been studied directly and through laboratory experiments that seek to replicate subsurface water-rock interaction. Here a broad analysis is made of compositions from the U.S. Geological Survey Produced Waters Database (v2.3) and leachates (water, hydrochloric acid, artificial brine) for 12 energy-resource re
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Nanoscale Molecular Composition of Solid Bitumen from the Eagle Ford Group Across a Natural Thermal Maturity Gradient

Solid bitumen is a petrographically-defined secondary organic matter residue produced during petroleum generation and subsequent oil transformation. The presence of solid bitumen impacts many shale reservoir properties including porosity, permeability, and hydrocarbon generation and storage, amongst others. Furthermore, solid bitumen reflectance is an important parameter for assessing the thermal
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
Filter Total Items: 76

Geochemistry of the Cretaceous Mowry Shale in the Wind River Basin, Wyoming

The siliceous nature of the Mowry Shale distinguishes it from many of the well-studied organic-rich mudstones of the Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway. Available models of organic enrichment in mudstones rarely incorporate detailed biomarker, bulk organic, inorganic, and mineralogy data. Here, we used these data to evaluate how variations in organic matter source, productivity, dilution, and pres
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Bulk and intramolecular carbon isotopic compositions of hydrocarbon gases from laboratory pyrolysis of oil shale of the Green River Formation: Implications for isotope structures of kerogens

Evaluation of intramolecular isotope distributions within organic compounds can provide important insights into gas formation processes and structural properties of gas-generating precursors, such as kerogen, bitumen, and oil, in natural reservoirs. Until recently, little has been known about the intramolecular isotope distributions within kerogens. In this study, we conducted systematic pyrolysis
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geologic characterization and depositional history of the Uteland Butte member, Green River Formation, southwestern Uinta Basin, Utah

The 15- to 65-m-thick informal Uteland Butte member of the Eocene Green River Formation represents the first widespread transgression of Lake Uinta in the Uinta Basin, Utah. This study assesses the spatial and temporal variation of Uteland Butte member deposits along a 40-km transect in the southwestern margin of the Uinta Basin using detailed measured sections, organic and inorganic geochemical d
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geochemical studies of the Green River Formation in the Piceance Basin, Colorado: I. Major, minor, and trace elements

The Eocene Green River Formation contains the largest oil shale deposits in the world and is a welldocumented example of a lacustrine depositional system. In addition, mineral resources associated with oil shale in the Piceance Basin nahcolite [NaHCO3] and dawsonite [NaAl(CO3)(OH)2)] are of current and potential economic value, respectively. Detailed geochemical analysis across the basin can aid i
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geochemical studies of the Green River Formation in the Piceance Basin, Colorado: II. Chemofacies from hierarchical cluster analysis

Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was applied to a geochemical dataset representing the Eocene Green River Formation in the Piceance Basin of Colorado to identify chemofacies in core and outcrop samples from the basin margin and the basin center. The input dataset consisted of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and total organic carbon (TOC) content an
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

The role of organic matter diversity on the Re-Os systematics of organic-rich sedimentary units: Insights into the controls of isochron age determinations from the lacustrine Green River Formation

The range of 187Re/188Os values measured from samples of five organic-rich lacustrine mudstones units in the Eocene Green River Formation in the easternmost Uinta Basin covaries with organic matter diversity driven by changing water column conditions. A set of samples from the Douglas Creek Member has the highest pristane/phytane ratio and lowest β-carotane/n-C30 ratio compared to overlying units,
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Evaluating aromatization of solid bitumen generated in the presence and absence of water: Implications for solid bitumen reflectance as a thermal proxy

Geological models for petroleum generation suggest thermal conversion of oil-prone sedimentary organic matter in the presence of water promotes increased liquid saturate yield, whereas absence of water causes formation of an aromatic, cross-linked solid bitumen residue. To test the influence of hydrogen from water, organic-rich (22 wt% total organic carbon, TOC) mudrock samples from the Eocene lac
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

What’s past and ahead for the EMD

No abstract available.
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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

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 presented her
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Eagle Ford Group in southwest Texas

No abstract available.
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Complexities of the energy transition

No abstract available.
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

From the president

No abstract available.
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

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