Seth is a Research Geophysicist with the USGS Central Energy Resources Science Center. His areas of work include seismic characterization of gas hydrates, and the quantification of the potential impacts of oil and gas development (including hydraulic fracturing, produced waters, habitat impacts).
Recent Research
Gas hydrate characterization with seismic methods, with main focus on the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska
Water issues related to hydrocarbon production, including quantifying water use for hydraulic fracturing and water produced with oil and gas
Broader impacts of oil and gas development, including habitat and related topics
Shear-wave seismic methods for near-surface applications (focus of Mendenhall Post-doc, 2005-200)
Seismoelectric methods for near-surface applications (dissertation topic)
Education and Certifications
B.A. (1997) Middlebury College (Geology and Physics)
M.Sc. (2001) Stanford University (Geophysics)
Ph.D. (2005) Stanford University (Geophysics)
Science and Products
Geophysical Analysis of Energy Resources
The Geophysical Analysis of Energy Resources Project (also called the Geophysical Analysis Project) meets the need within the USGS and the Energy Resources Program to conduct advanced theoretical and applied research in reflection seismology to improve the delineation and characterization of both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources. The scientists of the project fulfill these...
Quantifying broader impacts of oil and gas development
Work in this task of the Oil and Gas Waters project focuses on quantifying the effects of developing oil and gas resources. The approach is probabilistic, and it builds directly from USGS oil and gas assessment methods and geological studies. Efforts to date have revolved around quantifying habitat loss and land-use change and estimating soil loss. We are working on quantifying other types of...
Quantities of water associated with oil and gas development
Work in this task of the Oil and Gas Waters Project focuses on quantifying the water used during hydrocarbon development and the water produced along with oil and gas. Hydraulic fracturing is an integral part of oil and gas development in many areas, and water use for this purpose has increased considerably in the last decade. Water produced from petroleum reservoirs includes hydraulic fracturing...
Oil and Gas Waters Project
The primary objective of this project is to provide information on the volume, quality, impacts, and possible uses of water produced during generation and development of energy resources (particularly hydrocarbons) as well as related fluids injected into reservoirs for energy development and associated waste disposal. The purpose of this work is to address scientific and societal questions...
Science Team about Energy and Plains and Potholes Environments (STEPPE)
Brine Contamination to Plains and Potholes Environments from Energy Development in the Williston Basin
Gas Hydrates
Central Energy Resources Science Center - Gas Hydrates Project Page
Developing the next generation of USGS resource assessments
Resource assessments constitute a key part of the USGS mission, and represent a crucial contribution toward Department of the Interior (DOI) and broader Federal objectives. Current USGS energy and mineral assessment methods evaluate total technically recoverable resources (energy) or economically exploitable materials (minerals); the fiscal year 2010 budget for this work is $82M. To help stakehol
Science and Products
- Science
Geophysical Analysis of Energy Resources
The Geophysical Analysis of Energy Resources Project (also called the Geophysical Analysis Project) meets the need within the USGS and the Energy Resources Program to conduct advanced theoretical and applied research in reflection seismology to improve the delineation and characterization of both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources. The scientists of the project fulfill these...Quantifying broader impacts of oil and gas development
Work in this task of the Oil and Gas Waters project focuses on quantifying the effects of developing oil and gas resources. The approach is probabilistic, and it builds directly from USGS oil and gas assessment methods and geological studies. Efforts to date have revolved around quantifying habitat loss and land-use change and estimating soil loss. We are working on quantifying other types of...Quantities of water associated with oil and gas development
Work in this task of the Oil and Gas Waters Project focuses on quantifying the water used during hydrocarbon development and the water produced along with oil and gas. Hydraulic fracturing is an integral part of oil and gas development in many areas, and water use for this purpose has increased considerably in the last decade. Water produced from petroleum reservoirs includes hydraulic fracturing...Oil and Gas Waters Project
The primary objective of this project is to provide information on the volume, quality, impacts, and possible uses of water produced during generation and development of energy resources (particularly hydrocarbons) as well as related fluids injected into reservoirs for energy development and associated waste disposal. The purpose of this work is to address scientific and societal questions...Science Team about Energy and Plains and Potholes Environments (STEPPE)
Brine Contamination to Plains and Potholes Environments from Energy Development in the Williston BasinGas Hydrates
Central Energy Resources Science Center - Gas Hydrates Project PageDeveloping the next generation of USGS resource assessments
Resource assessments constitute a key part of the USGS mission, and represent a crucial contribution toward Department of the Interior (DOI) and broader Federal objectives. Current USGS energy and mineral assessment methods evaluate total technically recoverable resources (energy) or economically exploitable materials (minerals); the fiscal year 2010 budget for this work is $82M. To help stakehol - Data
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