Research
Gulf Coast Framework Studies, Geochemistry, Geologic CO2 Utilization, Economics, Environmental Aspects, and more
Gulf Coast Framework Studies, Geochemistry, Geologic CO2 Utilization, Economics, Environmental Aspects, and more
Energy Resources Program
The Energy Resources Program conducts research and assessments to advance the understanding of the Nation’s energy resources. We study processes critical to the formation, accumulation, occurrence and alteration of geologically based energy resources; prepare resource assessments; and evaluate the environmental and socioeconomic effects of energy resource occurrence, production and use.
Our Science
Our Science
Understanding the national and global availability of resources as well as the environmental impacts of their development is essential for strategic decision making related to the nation’s energy mix.
Energy Quarterly
Energy Quarterly
This quarterly newsletter highlights the latest Energy Resources Program research, activities, publications, and information resources available from our website and other sources.
SCIENCE PRIORITIES
SCIENCE PRIORITIES
News
President proposes $1.6 billion FY 2025 budget for USGS
President proposes $1.6 billion FY 2025 budget for USGS
USGS, Colorado School of Mines establish joint industry program to explore potential of geologic hydrogen
USGS, Colorado School of Mines establish joint industry program to explore potential of geologic hydrogen
USGS partners with Havasupai Tribe to identify potential contaminant exposure pathways from Grand Canyon uranium mining
USGS partners with Havasupai Tribe to identify potential contaminant exposure pathways from Grand Canyon uranium mining
Publications
U.S. Geological Survey data strategy 2023–33
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has long recognized the strategic importance and value of well-managed data assets as an integral component of scientific integrity and foundational to the advancement of scientific research, decision making, and public safety. The USGS investment in the science lifecycle, including collection of unbiased data assets, interpretation, peer review, interpretive publ
Ion exchange processes for CO2 mineralization using industrial waste streams: Pilot plant demonstration and life cycle assessment
An attractive technique for removing CO2 from the environment is sequestration within stable carbonate solids (e. g., calcite). However, continuous addition of alkalinity is required to achieve favorable conditions for carbonate precipitation (pH>8) from aqueous streams containing dissolved CO2 (pH<4.5) and Ca2+ ions. In this study, a pH-swing process using ion exchange was demonstrated to process
Influence of rrganic matter thermal maturity on rare earth element distribution: A study of Middle Devonian black shales from the Appalachian Basin, USA
This study focuses on understanding the association of rare earth elements (REE; lanthanides + yttrium + scandium) with organic matter from the Middle Devonian black shales of the Appalachian Basin. Developing a better understanding of the role of organic matter (OM) and thermal maturity in REE partitioning may help improve current geochemical models of REE enrichment in a wide range of black shal
Science
Orphan Wells
The Orphan Wells Project conducts research on orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells across the nation to better understand the extent of methane emissions and ongoing risks to groundwater contamination. The goal of this research is to provide information that can support prioritizing orphan wells for plugging, and repurposing wells for uses such as new hydrocarbon production, carbon capture and...
Solar Energy
The United States Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Database (USPVDB) provides the locations and array boundaries of U.S. ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) facilities with capacity of 1 megawatt or more. It includes corresponding PV facility information, including panel type, site type, and initial year of operation. The creation of this database was jointly funded by the U.S. Department of Energy...
Gulf Coast Geologic Energy Assessments and Research Project
The Gulf Coast Geologic Energy Assessments and Research (GEAR) project assesses and characterizes undiscovered, technically recoverable domestic petroleum resources. It focuses on the onshore and State waters portion of the Gulf Coast basin. The primary goal of this project is to meet the needs of Congress and other stakeholders for timely and robust assessments of petroleum resources in the Gulf...