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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.  

Explore Conventional

Recent Publications

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

Browse Assessments

Looking for United States assessments?

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 21
No Result Found

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 150

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Central Burma Basin and the Irrawaddy-Andaman and Indo-Burman Geologic Provinces, Myanmar

The Irrawaddy-Andaman and Indo-Burman Geologic Provinces were recently assessed for undiscovered technically recoverable oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids resources as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) World Oil and Gas Assessment. Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the USGS estimated mean volumes of 2.3 billion barrels of oil, 79.6 trillion cubic feet of gas, and 2.1
Authors
Craig J. Wandrey, Christopher J. Schenk, Timothy R. Klett, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Richard M. Pollastro, Marilyn E. Tennyson
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered, conventional oil and gas resources of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, 2012

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 19 billion barrels of oil and 83 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas resources in 10 geologic provinces of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Timothy R. Klett, Janet K. Pitman, Richard M. Pollastro, Jean N. Weaver
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Potential for technically recoverable unconventional gas and oil resources in the Polish-Ukrainian Foredeep, Poland, 2012

Using a performance-based geological assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated mean volumes of 1,345 billion cubic feet of potentially technically recoverable gas and 168 million barrels of technically recoverable oil and natural gas liquids in Ordovician and Silurian age shales in the Polish- Ukrainian Foredeep basin of Poland.
Authors
Donald L. Gautier, Janet K. Pitman, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy Cook, Timothy R. Klett, Christopher J. Schenk
By
Energy Resources Program

Shahejie-Shahejie/Guantao/Wumishan and Carboniferous/Permian Coal-Paleozoic Total Petroleum Systems in the Bohaiwan Basin, China (based on geologic studies for the 2000 World Energy Assessment Project of the U.S. Geological Survey)

This report discusses the geologic framework and petroleum geology used to assess undiscovered petroleum resources in the Bohaiwan basin province for the 2000 World Energy Assessment Project of the U.S. Geological Survey. The Bohaiwan basin in northeastern China is the largest petroleum-producing region in China. Two total petroleum systems have been identified in the basin. The first, the Shaheji
Authors
Robert T. Ryder, Jin Qiang, Peter J. McCabe, Vito F. Nuccio, Felix M. Persits

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of South America and the Caribbean, 2012

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 126 billion barrels of oil and 679 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas in 31 geologic provinces of South America and the Caribbean.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Timothy R. Klett, Mark A. Kirschbaum, Janet K. Pitman, Richard M. Pollastro, Marilyn E. Tennyson
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Assam, Bombay, Cauvery, and Krishna-Godavari Provinces, South Asia, 2011

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated volumes of undiscovered, technically recoverable, conventional petroleum resources for the Assam, Bombay, Cauvery, and Krishna–Godavari Provinces, South Asia. The estimated mean volumes are as follows: (1) Assam Province, 273 million barrels of crude oil, 1,559 billion cubic feet of natural gas, and 43 million barre
Authors
T. R. Klett, Christopher J. Schenk, Craig J. Wandrey, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Michael E. Brownfield, Janet K. Pitman, Richard M. Pollastro
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of potential additions to conventional oil and gas resources of the world (outside the United States) from reserve growth, 2012

The U.S. Geological Survey estimated volumes of technically recoverable, conventional petroleum resources resulting from reserve growth for discovered fields outside the United States that have reported in-place oil and gas volumes of 500 million barrels of oil equivalent or greater. The mean volumes were estimated at 665 billion barrels of crude oil, 1,429 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and
Authors
Timothy R. Klett, Troy A. Cook, Ronald R. Charpentier, Marilyn E. Tennyson, E. D. Attanasi, Phil A. Freeman, Robert T. Ryder, Donald L. Gautier, Mahendra K. Verma, Phuong A. Le, Christopher J. Schenk
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

An estimate of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of the world, 2012

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 565 billion barrels of conventional oil and 5,606 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered conventional natural gas in 171 priority geologic provinces of the world, exclusive of the United States.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of four East Africa Geologic Provinces

Four geologic provinces along the east coast of Africa recently were assessed for undiscovered, technically recoverable oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids resources as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) World Oil and Gas Assessment. Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the USGS estimated mean volumes of 27.6 billion barrels of oil, 441.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas,
Authors
Michael E. Brownfield, Christopher J. Schenk, Ronald R. Charpentier, Timothy R. Klett, Troy A. Cook, Richard M. Pollastro, Marilyn E. Tennyson
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the South Africa Coastal Province, Africa

The South Africa Coastal Province along the South Africa coast recently was assessed for undiscovered, technically recoverable oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids resources as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) World Oil and Gas Assessment. Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the USGS estimated mean volumes of 2.13 billion barrels of oil, 35.96 trillion cubic feet of natur
Authors
Michael E. Brownfield, Christopher J. Schenk, Ronald R. Charpentier, Timothy R. Klett, Troy A. Cook, Richard M. Pollastro
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of Papua-New Guinea, Eastern Indonesia, and East Timor, 2011

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 5.8 billion barrels of oil and 115 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas in five geologic provinces in the areas of Papua New Guinea, eastern Indonesia, and East Timor.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Timothy R. Klett, Janet K. Pitman, Richard M. Pollastro
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of Bonaparte Basin, Browse Basin, Northwest Shelf, and Gippsland Basin Provinces, Australia, 2011

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 4.7 billion barrels of undiscovered oil and 227 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas in three major offshore petroleum basins of northwest Australia and in the Gippsland Basin of southeast Australia.
Authors
Richard M. Pollastro, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Timothy R. Klett, Mark A. Kirschbaum, Janet K. Pitman, Christopher J. Schenk
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Below are FAQ associated with this project.

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.  

Explore Conventional

Recent Publications

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

Browse Assessments

Looking for United States assessments?

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 21
No Result Found

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 150

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Central Burma Basin and the Irrawaddy-Andaman and Indo-Burman Geologic Provinces, Myanmar

The Irrawaddy-Andaman and Indo-Burman Geologic Provinces were recently assessed for undiscovered technically recoverable oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids resources as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) World Oil and Gas Assessment. Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the USGS estimated mean volumes of 2.3 billion barrels of oil, 79.6 trillion cubic feet of gas, and 2.1
Authors
Craig J. Wandrey, Christopher J. Schenk, Timothy R. Klett, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Richard M. Pollastro, Marilyn E. Tennyson
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered, conventional oil and gas resources of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, 2012

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 19 billion barrels of oil and 83 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas resources in 10 geologic provinces of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Timothy R. Klett, Janet K. Pitman, Richard M. Pollastro, Jean N. Weaver
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Potential for technically recoverable unconventional gas and oil resources in the Polish-Ukrainian Foredeep, Poland, 2012

Using a performance-based geological assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated mean volumes of 1,345 billion cubic feet of potentially technically recoverable gas and 168 million barrels of technically recoverable oil and natural gas liquids in Ordovician and Silurian age shales in the Polish- Ukrainian Foredeep basin of Poland.
Authors
Donald L. Gautier, Janet K. Pitman, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy Cook, Timothy R. Klett, Christopher J. Schenk
By
Energy Resources Program

Shahejie-Shahejie/Guantao/Wumishan and Carboniferous/Permian Coal-Paleozoic Total Petroleum Systems in the Bohaiwan Basin, China (based on geologic studies for the 2000 World Energy Assessment Project of the U.S. Geological Survey)

This report discusses the geologic framework and petroleum geology used to assess undiscovered petroleum resources in the Bohaiwan basin province for the 2000 World Energy Assessment Project of the U.S. Geological Survey. The Bohaiwan basin in northeastern China is the largest petroleum-producing region in China. Two total petroleum systems have been identified in the basin. The first, the Shaheji
Authors
Robert T. Ryder, Jin Qiang, Peter J. McCabe, Vito F. Nuccio, Felix M. Persits

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of South America and the Caribbean, 2012

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 126 billion barrels of oil and 679 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas in 31 geologic provinces of South America and the Caribbean.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Timothy R. Klett, Mark A. Kirschbaum, Janet K. Pitman, Richard M. Pollastro, Marilyn E. Tennyson
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Assam, Bombay, Cauvery, and Krishna-Godavari Provinces, South Asia, 2011

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated volumes of undiscovered, technically recoverable, conventional petroleum resources for the Assam, Bombay, Cauvery, and Krishna–Godavari Provinces, South Asia. The estimated mean volumes are as follows: (1) Assam Province, 273 million barrels of crude oil, 1,559 billion cubic feet of natural gas, and 43 million barre
Authors
T. R. Klett, Christopher J. Schenk, Craig J. Wandrey, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Michael E. Brownfield, Janet K. Pitman, Richard M. Pollastro
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of potential additions to conventional oil and gas resources of the world (outside the United States) from reserve growth, 2012

The U.S. Geological Survey estimated volumes of technically recoverable, conventional petroleum resources resulting from reserve growth for discovered fields outside the United States that have reported in-place oil and gas volumes of 500 million barrels of oil equivalent or greater. The mean volumes were estimated at 665 billion barrels of crude oil, 1,429 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and
Authors
Timothy R. Klett, Troy A. Cook, Ronald R. Charpentier, Marilyn E. Tennyson, E. D. Attanasi, Phil A. Freeman, Robert T. Ryder, Donald L. Gautier, Mahendra K. Verma, Phuong A. Le, Christopher J. Schenk
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

An estimate of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of the world, 2012

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 565 billion barrels of conventional oil and 5,606 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered conventional natural gas in 171 priority geologic provinces of the world, exclusive of the United States.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of four East Africa Geologic Provinces

Four geologic provinces along the east coast of Africa recently were assessed for undiscovered, technically recoverable oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids resources as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) World Oil and Gas Assessment. Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the USGS estimated mean volumes of 27.6 billion barrels of oil, 441.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas,
Authors
Michael E. Brownfield, Christopher J. Schenk, Ronald R. Charpentier, Timothy R. Klett, Troy A. Cook, Richard M. Pollastro, Marilyn E. Tennyson
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the South Africa Coastal Province, Africa

The South Africa Coastal Province along the South Africa coast recently was assessed for undiscovered, technically recoverable oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids resources as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) World Oil and Gas Assessment. Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the USGS estimated mean volumes of 2.13 billion barrels of oil, 35.96 trillion cubic feet of natur
Authors
Michael E. Brownfield, Christopher J. Schenk, Ronald R. Charpentier, Timothy R. Klett, Troy A. Cook, Richard M. Pollastro
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of Papua-New Guinea, Eastern Indonesia, and East Timor, 2011

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 5.8 billion barrels of oil and 115 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas in five geologic provinces in the areas of Papua New Guinea, eastern Indonesia, and East Timor.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Timothy R. Klett, Janet K. Pitman, Richard M. Pollastro
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources of Bonaparte Basin, Browse Basin, Northwest Shelf, and Gippsland Basin Provinces, Australia, 2011

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 4.7 billion barrels of undiscovered oil and 227 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas in three major offshore petroleum basins of northwest Australia and in the Gippsland Basin of southeast Australia.
Authors
Richard M. Pollastro, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Timothy R. Klett, Mark A. Kirschbaum, Janet K. Pitman, Christopher J. Schenk
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Below are FAQ associated with this project.

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