Steven M. Cahan
Steven Cahan is a Cartographer with the USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals (GEM) Science Center in Reston, VA.
Steven received a bachelors degree in geography from Virginia Tech in 2010. Since joining the USGS, Steven has provided support in GIS to several projects including the CO2 sequestration project, the Gulf Coast assessment, and the National Geologic Map Database. His work includes geospatial analysis, map production, and keeping image servers up to date.
Professional Experience
May 2010 - present, Cartographer, USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston, VA
Education and Certifications
B.A. Geography - Geospatial and Environmental Analysis, Virginia Tech
Science and Products
Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources - California Basins: Chapter Q, Spatial Data Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources - California Basins: Chapter Q, Spatial Data
This data release provides shapefiles that represent storage assessment units (SAUs) and drilling-density cells in the Central California Coast, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Ventura Basins of California in the United States. The SAU is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources project for the assessment of geologic CO2...
Data associated with using lidar and earth observation temporal analysis to explore and characterize uranium mining on the south Texas landscape Data associated with using lidar and earth observation temporal analysis to explore and characterize uranium mining on the south Texas landscape
Open pit uranium mining in Atascosa, Karnes, and Live Oak Counties in the Texas gulf coast region was active during the second half of the 20th century. Understanding the history of these mining operations is important for proper management and restoration. Although some mines have extensive records documenting the locations and extents of mining pits and mine waste-rock piles, and...
Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources-Anadarko and Southern Oklahoma Basins: Chapter R. Spatial Data Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources-Anadarko and Southern Oklahoma Basins: Chapter R. Spatial Data
This data release provides shapefiles that represent storage assessment units (SAUs) and drilling-density cells in the Anadarko and Southern Oklahoma Basins of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas in the United States. The SAU is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources project for the assessment of geologic CO2 storage resources...
Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources - Appalachian Basin, Black Warrior Basin, Illinois Basin, and Michigan Basin: Chapter P, Spatial Data Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources - Appalachian Basin, Black Warrior Basin, Illinois Basin, and Michigan Basin: Chapter P, Spatial Data
The storage assessment unit (SAU) is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources project for the assessment of geologic CO2 storage resources. The SAU is shown here as a geographic boundary interpreted, defined, and mapped by the geologist responsible for the assessment interval. Individual SAUs are defined on the basis of common...
Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources-Wind River Basin: Chapter O, Spatial Data Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources-Wind River Basin: Chapter O, Spatial Data
The storage assessment unit (SAU) is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources project for the assessment of geologic CO2 storage resources. The SAU is shown here as a geographic boundary interpreted, defined, and mapped by the geologist responsible for the assessment interval. Individual SAUs are defined on the basis of common...
Optimization simulations to estimate maximum brine injection rates in the Illinois Basin Optimization simulations to estimate maximum brine injection rates in the Illinois Basin
We developed a methodology to estimate maximum brine injection rates in subsurface formations across wide geographic areas using inverse modeling-based optimization techniques. We first defined geographic areas where groundwater was too saline to meet the standard for drinking water and where sufficient confining units existed above and below the injection layers. We then assumed...
Filter Total Items: 27
Estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) Prediction for Eagle Ford Shale using integrated datasets and artificial neural networks Estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) Prediction for Eagle Ford Shale using integrated datasets and artificial neural networks
The estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) is an important parameter for forecasting oil and gas production and informing decisions regarding field development strategies. In this study, we combined site-specific geologic, completion, and operational parameters with the predictive capabilities of machine learning (ML) models to predict EURs of the wells for the Eagle Ford Marl Continuous Oil...
Authors
C. Ozgen Karacan, Steven T. Anderson, Steven M. Cahan
Spatial distribution of API gravity and gas/oil ratios for petroleum accumulations in Upper Cretaceous strata of the San Miguel, Olmos, and Escondido Formations of the south Texas Maverick Basin—Implications for petroleum migration and charge history Spatial distribution of API gravity and gas/oil ratios for petroleum accumulations in Upper Cretaceous strata of the San Miguel, Olmos, and Escondido Formations of the south Texas Maverick Basin—Implications for petroleum migration and charge history
The Maverick Basin of south Texas is currently undergoing active exploration and production of gas and oil from tight sandstone reservoirs. The most productive tight sandstones in the basin are in the Upper Cretaceous San Miguel, Olmos, and Escondido Formations. These units are second only to the Eagle Ford Shale in terms of cumulative production volumes. The structural history of the...
Authors
Colin A. Doolan, William H. Craddock, Marc L. Buursink, Javin J. Hatcherian, Steven M. Cahan
Geologic carbon management options for the North Atlantic-Appalachian Region Geologic carbon management options for the North Atlantic-Appalachian Region
Introduction The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) North Atlantic-Appalachian Region is developing the regionwide capacity to provide timely science support for decision-makers attempting to enhance carbon removal, sequestration, and emissions mitigation to meet national atmospheric carbon reduction goals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that in 2021, the fourteen...
Authors
Peter D. Warwick, Madalyn S. Blondes, Sean T. Brennan, Steven M. Cahan, C. Ozgen Karacan, Kevin D. Kroeger, Matthew D. Merrill
Assessment of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon dioxide retention resources of the United States Assessment of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon dioxide retention resources of the United States
In 2020, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) completed a probabilistic assessment of the volume of technically recoverable oil resources that could be produced using current carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) technologies in amenable conventional oil reservoirs underlying onshore and State-owned offshore waters (herein after, onshore and State waters areas) of the conterminous...
Authors
Peter D. Warwick, E. D. Attanasi, Madalyn S. Blondes, Sean T. Brennan, Marc L. Buursink, Steven M. Cahan, Colin A. Doolan, Philip A. Freeman, C. Ozgen Karacan, Celeste D. Lohr, Matthew D. Merrill, Ricardo A. Olea, Jenna L. Shelton, Ernie R. Slucher, Brian A. Varela
Dynamic estimates of geologic CO2 storage resources in the Illinois Basin constrained by reinjectivity of brine extracted for pressure management Dynamic estimates of geologic CO2 storage resources in the Illinois Basin constrained by reinjectivity of brine extracted for pressure management
Geologic carbon storage (GCS) is likely to be an important part of global efforts to decarbonize the energy industry. Widespread deployment of GCS relies on strategies to maximize CO2 injection rates while minimizing reservoir pressurization that could induce seismicity and/or fluid leakage into groundwater resources. Brine extraction from CO2 storage formations with subsurface...
Authors
Michelle R. Plampin, Steven T. Anderson, Steven M. Cahan, Stefan Finsterle
A novel method for conducting a geoenvironmental assessment of undiscovered ISR-amenable uranium Resources: Proof-of-concept in the Texas Coastal Plain A novel method for conducting a geoenvironmental assessment of undiscovered ISR-amenable uranium Resources: Proof-of-concept in the Texas Coastal Plain
A geoenvironmental assessment methodology was developed to estimate waste quantities and disturbances that could be associated with the extraction of undiscovered uranium resources and identify areas on the landscape where uranium and other constituents of potential concern (COPCs) that may co-occur with uranium deposits in this region are likely to persist, if introduced into the...
Authors
Tanya J. Gallegos, Victoria G. Stengel, Katherine Walton-Day, Johanna Blake, Andrew Teeple, Delbert G Humberson, Steven M. Cahan, Douglas Yager, Kent D Becher
Science and Products
Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources - California Basins: Chapter Q, Spatial Data Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources - California Basins: Chapter Q, Spatial Data
This data release provides shapefiles that represent storage assessment units (SAUs) and drilling-density cells in the Central California Coast, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Ventura Basins of California in the United States. The SAU is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources project for the assessment of geologic CO2...
Data associated with using lidar and earth observation temporal analysis to explore and characterize uranium mining on the south Texas landscape Data associated with using lidar and earth observation temporal analysis to explore and characterize uranium mining on the south Texas landscape
Open pit uranium mining in Atascosa, Karnes, and Live Oak Counties in the Texas gulf coast region was active during the second half of the 20th century. Understanding the history of these mining operations is important for proper management and restoration. Although some mines have extensive records documenting the locations and extents of mining pits and mine waste-rock piles, and...
Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources-Anadarko and Southern Oklahoma Basins: Chapter R. Spatial Data Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources-Anadarko and Southern Oklahoma Basins: Chapter R. Spatial Data
This data release provides shapefiles that represent storage assessment units (SAUs) and drilling-density cells in the Anadarko and Southern Oklahoma Basins of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas in the United States. The SAU is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources project for the assessment of geologic CO2 storage resources...
Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources - Appalachian Basin, Black Warrior Basin, Illinois Basin, and Michigan Basin: Chapter P, Spatial Data Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources - Appalachian Basin, Black Warrior Basin, Illinois Basin, and Michigan Basin: Chapter P, Spatial Data
The storage assessment unit (SAU) is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources project for the assessment of geologic CO2 storage resources. The SAU is shown here as a geographic boundary interpreted, defined, and mapped by the geologist responsible for the assessment interval. Individual SAUs are defined on the basis of common...
Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources-Wind River Basin: Chapter O, Spatial Data Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources-Wind River Basin: Chapter O, Spatial Data
The storage assessment unit (SAU) is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources project for the assessment of geologic CO2 storage resources. The SAU is shown here as a geographic boundary interpreted, defined, and mapped by the geologist responsible for the assessment interval. Individual SAUs are defined on the basis of common...
Optimization simulations to estimate maximum brine injection rates in the Illinois Basin Optimization simulations to estimate maximum brine injection rates in the Illinois Basin
We developed a methodology to estimate maximum brine injection rates in subsurface formations across wide geographic areas using inverse modeling-based optimization techniques. We first defined geographic areas where groundwater was too saline to meet the standard for drinking water and where sufficient confining units existed above and below the injection layers. We then assumed...
Filter Total Items: 27
Estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) Prediction for Eagle Ford Shale using integrated datasets and artificial neural networks Estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) Prediction for Eagle Ford Shale using integrated datasets and artificial neural networks
The estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) is an important parameter for forecasting oil and gas production and informing decisions regarding field development strategies. In this study, we combined site-specific geologic, completion, and operational parameters with the predictive capabilities of machine learning (ML) models to predict EURs of the wells for the Eagle Ford Marl Continuous Oil...
Authors
C. Ozgen Karacan, Steven T. Anderson, Steven M. Cahan
Spatial distribution of API gravity and gas/oil ratios for petroleum accumulations in Upper Cretaceous strata of the San Miguel, Olmos, and Escondido Formations of the south Texas Maverick Basin—Implications for petroleum migration and charge history Spatial distribution of API gravity and gas/oil ratios for petroleum accumulations in Upper Cretaceous strata of the San Miguel, Olmos, and Escondido Formations of the south Texas Maverick Basin—Implications for petroleum migration and charge history
The Maverick Basin of south Texas is currently undergoing active exploration and production of gas and oil from tight sandstone reservoirs. The most productive tight sandstones in the basin are in the Upper Cretaceous San Miguel, Olmos, and Escondido Formations. These units are second only to the Eagle Ford Shale in terms of cumulative production volumes. The structural history of the...
Authors
Colin A. Doolan, William H. Craddock, Marc L. Buursink, Javin J. Hatcherian, Steven M. Cahan
Geologic carbon management options for the North Atlantic-Appalachian Region Geologic carbon management options for the North Atlantic-Appalachian Region
Introduction The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) North Atlantic-Appalachian Region is developing the regionwide capacity to provide timely science support for decision-makers attempting to enhance carbon removal, sequestration, and emissions mitigation to meet national atmospheric carbon reduction goals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that in 2021, the fourteen...
Authors
Peter D. Warwick, Madalyn S. Blondes, Sean T. Brennan, Steven M. Cahan, C. Ozgen Karacan, Kevin D. Kroeger, Matthew D. Merrill
Assessment of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon dioxide retention resources of the United States Assessment of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon dioxide retention resources of the United States
In 2020, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) completed a probabilistic assessment of the volume of technically recoverable oil resources that could be produced using current carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) technologies in amenable conventional oil reservoirs underlying onshore and State-owned offshore waters (herein after, onshore and State waters areas) of the conterminous...
Authors
Peter D. Warwick, E. D. Attanasi, Madalyn S. Blondes, Sean T. Brennan, Marc L. Buursink, Steven M. Cahan, Colin A. Doolan, Philip A. Freeman, C. Ozgen Karacan, Celeste D. Lohr, Matthew D. Merrill, Ricardo A. Olea, Jenna L. Shelton, Ernie R. Slucher, Brian A. Varela
Dynamic estimates of geologic CO2 storage resources in the Illinois Basin constrained by reinjectivity of brine extracted for pressure management Dynamic estimates of geologic CO2 storage resources in the Illinois Basin constrained by reinjectivity of brine extracted for pressure management
Geologic carbon storage (GCS) is likely to be an important part of global efforts to decarbonize the energy industry. Widespread deployment of GCS relies on strategies to maximize CO2 injection rates while minimizing reservoir pressurization that could induce seismicity and/or fluid leakage into groundwater resources. Brine extraction from CO2 storage formations with subsurface...
Authors
Michelle R. Plampin, Steven T. Anderson, Steven M. Cahan, Stefan Finsterle
A novel method for conducting a geoenvironmental assessment of undiscovered ISR-amenable uranium Resources: Proof-of-concept in the Texas Coastal Plain A novel method for conducting a geoenvironmental assessment of undiscovered ISR-amenable uranium Resources: Proof-of-concept in the Texas Coastal Plain
A geoenvironmental assessment methodology was developed to estimate waste quantities and disturbances that could be associated with the extraction of undiscovered uranium resources and identify areas on the landscape where uranium and other constituents of potential concern (COPCs) that may co-occur with uranium deposits in this region are likely to persist, if introduced into the...
Authors
Tanya J. Gallegos, Victoria G. Stengel, Katherine Walton-Day, Johanna Blake, Andrew Teeple, Delbert G Humberson, Steven M. Cahan, Douglas Yager, Kent D Becher