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World Oil and Gas Resource Assessments

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By Central Energy Resources Science Center January 1, 2024

Explore Unconventional/Continuous Oil and Gas Assessments

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The USGS World Energy Project conducts geologic studies that provide an understanding of the quantity, quality, and geologic distribution of world oil and gas resources. Our geologic studies are conducted in an impartial manner and are performed in collaboration and partnership with energy experts within and outside government. Through synthesis and improved understanding of global oil and gas data, we shall establish a geologic basis for predicting energy production trends, we shall discuss logical implications and consequences of energy occurrence for public policy, and we shall provide for the education of society about energy issues.

 

Assessment Overview

Aerial image of an oil spill, Medicine Lake NWR wetlands

The USGS assesses potential for undiscovered oil and gas resources in priority geologic provinces in the World.  This website highlights conventional and unconventional (continuous) oil and gas resources (such as shale gas) for more than 170 basins.

Conventional Oil and Gas Assessments

Image for the World Oil and Gas Conventional Assessments

In 2012, the USGS completed a comprehensive assessment of priority basins throughout the world.  This map lists publications for each of these basins.  

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Recent Publications

Below is a list of the latest World Oil and Gas Assessment Publications

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Looking for United States assessments?

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

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Application to explore US Oil and Gas Assessments

United States Assessments of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources

USGS Energy Resources Program provides periodic assessments of the oil and natural gas endowment of the United States and the World. This website provides access to new, prioritized, assessment results and supporting data for the United States, as part of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).
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Energy and Mineral Resources Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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United States Assessments of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources

USGS Energy Resources Program provides periodic assessments of the oil and natural gas endowment of the United States and the World. This website provides access to new, prioritized, assessment results and supporting data for the United States, as part of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).
Learn More
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Projected (flat) world image showing land cover color and shading for topography and ocean bathymetry

World Geologic Maps

In support of the 2000 World Petroleum Assessment (DDS60), a series of geologic maps were captured, resulting in near global coverage of coarse resolution surface geology. Each of these maps were published as Open-File Reports on CD but are available for use in a variety of formats.
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Central Energy Resources Science Center
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World Geologic Maps

In support of the 2000 World Petroleum Assessment (DDS60), a series of geologic maps were captured, resulting in near global coverage of coarse resolution surface geology. Each of these maps were published as Open-File Reports on CD but are available for use in a variety of formats.
Learn More

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 24

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project—Oman Provinces: Assessment Unit Boundaries, Assessment Input Data, and Fact Sheet Data Tables

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units, assessment input data, and resulting fact sheet data tables for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in Oman. The assessment unit is the fundamental unit used in the National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The assessment unit is defined...
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project—Greater Caspian Area: Assessment Unit Boundaries, Assessment Input Data, and Fact Sheet Data Tables

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units, assessment input data, and resulting fact sheet data tables for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Greater Caspian area. The assessment unit is the fundamental unit used in the National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The assessment...
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project—Zagros Fold Belt Province: Assessment Unit Boundaries, Assessment Input Data, and Fact Sheet Data Tables

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units, assessment input data, and resulting fact sheet data tables for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Zagros Fold Belt Province. The assessment unit is the fundamental unit used in the National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The...
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project—East Africa and Seychelles Provinces: Assessment Unit Boundaries, Assessment Input data, and Fact Sheet Data Tables

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units, assessment input data, and resulting fact sheet data tables for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the offshore East Africa and Seychelles region. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas...
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project—Black Sea Area: Assessment Unit Boundaries, Assessment Input Data, and Fact Sheet Data Tables

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units, assessment input data, and resulting fact sheet data tables for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Black Sea area. The assessment unit is the fundamental unit used in the National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The assessment unit is...
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project—West-Central Coastal Province (Africa) Presalt: Assessment Unit Boundaries, Assessment Input data, and Fact Sheet Data Tables

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units, assessment input data, and resulting fact sheet data tables for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the presalt reservoirs of the West-Central Coastal Province of Africa. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project for the assessment of...
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project—Offshore Morocco: Assessment Unit Boundaries, Assessment Input Data, and Fact Sheet Data Tables

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units, assessment input data, and resulting fact sheet data tables for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the offshore salt basin area, Essaouira Province of Morocco. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil...
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS/Uzbek GOSCOMGEOLOGY/GeoMark potential source rock lab analysis results, 2021-2022

This dataset is associated with potential source rock samples collected from Uzbekistan. Borehole core samples, as well as outcrop samples, were collected by Uzbek GOSCOMGeology and the USGS in 2021 and 2022. Samples were sent to GeoMark Source Rock Lab for Leco total organic carbon content and HAWK pyrolysis analysis. Analysis results include percent carbonate (wt%), Leco TOC (wt%), and...
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project—Barents Sea Area: Assessment Unit Boundaries, Assessment Input Data, and Fact Sheet Data Tables

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units, assessment input data and resulting fact sheet data tables for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Barents Sea Area. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit...
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project-Lower Saxony Basin: Assessment Unit Boundaries, Assessment Input Data, and Fact Sheet Data Tables

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units and input data for the assessment of undiscovered gas resources in the Lower Saxony Basin, Germany. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit is defined within the context of the higher...
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project-Senegal Basin Province: Assessment Unit Boundaries, Assessment Input Data, and Fact Sheet Data Tables

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units, assessment input data and resulting fact sheet data tables for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Senegal Basin Province of northwest Africa. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas...
By
Central Energy Resources Science Center

USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project-Mesozoic Petroleum Systems of Central European Basin System: Assessment Unit Boundaries, Assessment Input Data, and Fact Sheet Data Tables

This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units, assessment input data and resulting fact sheet data tables for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Mesozoic petroleum systems of the Central European Basin System. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project for the assessment of...
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Central Energy Resources Science Center

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 153

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of Oman, 2023

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 1.2 billion barrels of oil and 6.4 trillion cubic feet of gas in Oman.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kira K. Timm
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of the Greater Caspian area, 2022

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 34.3 billion barrels of oil and 320 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Greater Caspian area.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake, Thomas M. Finn, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kira K. Timm
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of the Zagros Fold Belt of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, 2023

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 3.3 billion barrels of oil and 80.3 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Zagros Fold Belt of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kira K. Timm
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of offshore East Africa and the Seychelles, 2022

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 5.1 billion barrels of oil and 79.1 trillion cubic feet of gas in offshore East Africa and the Seychelles.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Cheryl A. Woodall, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Thomas M. Finn, Michael H. Gardner, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kristen R. Marra, Kira K. Timm, Scott S. Young
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of the Black Sea area, 2023

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 2.3 billion barrels of oil and 105.5 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Black Sea area.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Cheryl A. Woodall, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Thomas M. Finn, Michael H. Gardner, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kristen R. Marra, Kira K. Timm, Scott S. Young
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in postsalt reservoirs of the West-Central Coastal Province of Africa, 2022

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 10.5 billion barrels of oil and 47.4 trillion cubic feet of gas in postsalt reservoirs within the West-Central Coastal Province of Africa.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Cheryl A. Woodall, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Thomas M. Finn, Michael H. Gardner, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kristen R. Marra, Kira K. Timm, Scott S. Young
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, International Programs

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in presalt reservoirs of the West-Central Coastal Province of Africa, 2022

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 12.1 billion barrels of oil and 50 trillion cubic feet of gas in presalt reservoirs within the West-Central Coastal Province of Africa.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Cheryl A. Woodall, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Thomas M. Finn, Michael H. Gardner, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kristen R. Marra, Kira K. Timm, Scott S. Young
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in the offshore Salt Basin area of Morocco, 2021

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 3.8 billion barrels of oil and 20.7 trillion cubic feet of gas offshore of Morocco.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Cheryl A. Woodall, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Thomas M. Finn, Michael H. Gardner, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kristen R. Marra, Kira K. Timm, Scott S. Young
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of the Barents Sea area, 2021

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 7.3 billion barrels of oil and 463.7 trillion cubic feet of gas within the Barents Sea area.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Cheryl A. Woodall, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Thomas M. Finn, Phuong A. Le, Kristen R. Marra, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Ronald M. Drake
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of continuous oil and gas resources in the Lower Saxony Basin of Germany, 2020

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 321 million barrels of shale oil and 435 billion cubic feet of shale gas in the Lower Saxony Basin, Germany.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Cheryl A. Woodall, Thomas M. Finn, Kristen R. Marra, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Phuong A. Le, Ronald M. Drake, Geoffrey S. Ellis
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of the Senegal Basin Province of northwest Africa, 2021

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 13,929 million (13.9 billion) barrels of oil and 193,721 billion (193.7 trillion) cubic feet of gas within the Senegal Basin Province of northwest Africa.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Cheryl A. Woodall, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Thomas M. Finn, Michael H. Gardner, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Jenny H. Lagesse, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kristen R. Marra, Kira K. Timm, Scott S. Young
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of the Volga-Ural Basin and Timan-Pechora Basin Provinces of Russia, 2020

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 4.9 billion barrels of oil and 21 trillion cubic feet of gas within the Volga-Ural Basin Province and technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 1.8 billion barrels of oil and 9.5 trillion cubic of gas in the Timan-Pechora...
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Cheryl A. Woodall, Thomas M. Finn, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Phuong A. Le, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Ronald M. Drake
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Below are FAQ associated with this project.

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Oil and Gas Wastewater Disposal Facility in West Virginia

What are "technically recoverable" oil and gas resources?

“Technically recoverable” means that the oil and/or gas can be produced using currently available technology and industry practices. This is regardless of any economic or accessibility considerations. For example, the technology required to produce oil from a location might exist, but it costs more than the oil is worth. The oil is still technically recoverable. Learn more: USGS Energy Assessments
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What are "technically recoverable" oil and gas resources?

“Technically recoverable” means that the oil and/or gas can be produced using currently available technology and industry practices. This is regardless of any economic or accessibility considerations. For example, the technology required to produce oil from a location might exist, but it costs more than the oil is worth. The oil is still technically recoverable. Learn more: USGS Energy Assessments
Learn More
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Drilling Rig

What are the different columns on a USGS oil and gas resource assessment table?

Oil and gas estimates always involve some amounts of uncertainty. To account for this, the USGS presents its assessments of oil and gas potential in the form of a range based on how certain we are that this amount of oil and gas exist. The USGS uses a statistically based process (or model) to calculate the likely range of its estimates. The range of values extends from a 5% or greater likelihood...
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What are the different columns on a USGS oil and gas resource assessment table?

Oil and gas estimates always involve some amounts of uncertainty. To account for this, the USGS presents its assessments of oil and gas potential in the form of a range based on how certain we are that this amount of oil and gas exist. The USGS uses a statistically based process (or model) to calculate the likely range of its estimates. The range of values extends from a 5% or greater likelihood...
Learn More
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