Appalachian Basin Oil and Gas Assessments
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By Central Energy Resources Science Center
January 1, 2024
The USGS has conducted numerous assessments of undiscovered oil and gas in the Appalachian Basin, including studies of the Marcellus Shale. The region extends from Alabama to Maine. The following is an overview of the assessments.
- 2019 Ordovician Point Pleasant Formation and Utica Shale (FS 2019-3044)
- 2019 Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale (FS 2019-3050)
- 2016 Sunbury and Chattanooga Shale (FS 2016-3085)
- 2012 Utica Shale (FS 2012-3116)
- 2011 Marcellus Shale (FS 2011-3092, OFR 2011-1298)
- 2008 Utica-Lower Paleozoic TPS (FS 2008-1287)
- 2006 Devonian Shale-Middle and Upper Paleozoic TPS (OFR 2006-1237)
- 2002 Assessment of Appalachian Basin (FS 009-03)
- 2002 Carboniferous Coal-Bed Gas (FS 2004-3092, OFR 2004-1272)
- 1995 Assessment (DDS-30, 35, and 36)
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).
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project - Appalachian Basin Province, Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale Assessment Units and Input Data Forms
This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units and input data for the assessment of undiscovered gas resources in the Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province, 2019. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit is defined within the context of
USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project - Appalachian Basin Province, Point Pleasant Formation and Utica Shale Assessment Unit Boundaries and Assessment Input Data Forms
This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units and input data for the Assessment of undiscovered continuous oil and gas resources in the Upper Ordovician Point Pleasant Formation and Utica Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province, 2019. The Assessment Unit is defined within the context of the higher-level Total Petroleum System. The Assessment Unit is shown herein as a geographic bou
USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project-Appalachian Basin Province, Upper Devonian Shales Assessment Unit Boundaries and Assessment Input Forms
The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit is defined within the context of the higher-level Total Petroleum System. The Assessment Unit is shown herein as a geographic boundary interpreted, defined, and mapped by the geologist responsible for the province and incorporates a set o
Geologic cross section A–A′ through the Appalachian basin from the southern margin of the Ontario Lowlands province, Genesee County, western New York, to the Valley and Ridge province, Lycoming County, north-central Pennsylvania
IntroductionGeologic cross section A–A′ is the fifth in a series of cross sections constructed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to document and improve understanding of the geologic framework and petroleum systems of the Appalachian basin. Cross section A–A′ provides a regional view of the structural and stratigraphic framework of the Appalachian basin from the southern margin of the Ontar
Geologic Cross Section I–I′ Through the Appalachian Basin from the Eastern Margin of the Illinois Basin, Jefferson County, Kentucky, to the Valley and Ridge Province, Scott County, Virginia
Geologic cross section I‒I’ is the fourth in a series of cross sections constructed by the U.S. Geological Survey to document and improve understanding of the geologic framework and petroleum systems of the Appalachian basin. Cross section I‒I’ provides a regional view of the structural and stratigraphic framework of the Appalachian basin from the eastern margin of the Illinois basin in central Ke
Thermal maturity map of Devonian shale in the Illinois, Michigan, and Appalachian basins of North America
Much of the oil and gas in the Illinois, Michigan, and Appalachian basins of eastern North America is thought to be derived from Devonian shale that is within these basins (for example, Milici and others, 2003; Swezey, 2002, 2008, 2009; Swezey and others, 2005, 2007). As the Devonian strata were buried by younger sediments, the Devonian shale was subjected to great temperature and pressure, and in
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 21
Assessment of undiscovered gas resources in the Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province, 2019
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable continuous mean resources of 96.5 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province.
Authors
Debra K. Higley, Catherine B. Enomoto, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Tracey J. Mercier, Christopher J. Schenk, Michael H. Trippi, Phuong A. Le, Michael E. Brownfield, Cheryl A. Woodall, Kristen R. Marra, Marilyn E. Tennyson
Assessment of undiscovered continuous oil and gas resources in the Upper Ordovician Point Pleasant Formation and Utica Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province, 2019
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable continuous mean resources of 1.8 billion barrels of oil and 117.2 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Upper Ordovician Point Pleasant Formation and Utica Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province.
Authors
Catherine B. Enomoto, Michael H. Trippi, Debra K. Higley, Ronald M. Drake, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Tracey J. Mercier, Michael E. Brownfield, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Phuong A. Le, Kristen R. Marra, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Cheryl A. Woodall, Christopher J. Schenk
Ordovician Point Pleasant/Utica-Lower Paleozoic Total Petroleum System—Revisions to the Utica-Lower Paleozoic Total Petroleum System in the Appalachian Basin Province
Hydrocarbon reserves and technically recoverable undiscovered resources in continuous accumulations are present in Upper Ordovician strata in the Appalachian Basin Province. The province includes parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. The Upper Ordovician strata are part of the previously defined Utica-Lower Paleozoic To
Authors
Catherine B. Enomoto, Michael H. Trippi, Debra K. Higley
Assessment of undiscovered continuous gas resources in Upper Devonian Shales of the Appalachian Basin Province, 2017
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated mean undiscovered, technically recoverable continuous resources of 10.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in Upper Devonian shales of the Appalachian Basin Province.
Authors
Catherine B. Enomoto, Michael H. Trippi, Debra K. Higley, William A. Rouse, Frank T. Dulong, Timothy R. Klett, Tracey J. Mercier, Michael E. Brownfield, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Thomas M. Finn, Kristen R. Marra, Phuong A. Le, Cheryl A. Woodall, Christopher J. Schenk
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Mississippian Sunbury shale and Devonian–Mississippian Chattanooga shale in the Appalachian Basin Province, 2016
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated mean undiscovered, technically recoverable continuous resources that total 464 million barrels of oil and 4.08 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Lower Mississippian Sunbury Shale and Middle Devonian–Lower Mississippian Chattanooga Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province.
Authors
Debra K. Higley, William A. Rouse, Catherine B. Enomoto, Michael H. Trippi, Timothy R. Klett, Tracey J. Mercier, Michael E. Brownfield, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Ronald M. Drake, Thomas M. Finn, Nicholas J. Gianoutsos, Ofori N. Pearson, Colin A. Doolan, Phuong A. Le, Christopher J. Schenk
Revisions to the original extent of the Devonian Shale-Middle and Upper Paleozoic Total Petroleum System
Technically recoverable undiscovered hydrocarbon resources in continuous accumulations are present in Upper Devonian and Lower Mississippian strata in the Appalachian Basin Petroleum Province. The province includes parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. The Upper Devonian and Lower Mississippian strata are part of the pr
Authors
Catherine B. Enomoto, William A. Rouse, Michael H. Trippi, Debra K. Higley
U.S. Geological Survey assessments of continuous (unconventional) oil and gas resources, 2000 to 2011
From 2000 to 2011, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted 139 quantitative assessments of continuous (unconventional) oil and gas accumulations within the United States. This report documents those assessments more fully than previously done by providing detailed documentation of both the assessment input and output. This report also compiles the data into spreadsheet tables that can be more readily
Authors
Map of assessed coalbed-gas resources in the United States, 2014
This report presents a digital map of coalbed-gas resource assessments in the United States as part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Assessment of Oil and Gas Project. Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the USGS quantitatively estimated potential volumes of undiscovered, technically recoverable natural gas resources within coalbed-gas assessment units (AUs). This is the t
Authors
Laura R. H. Biewick
Assessment of Appalachian basin oil and gas resources: Utica-Lower Paleozoic Total Petroleum System
The Utica-Lower Paleozoic Total Petroleum System (TPS) in the Appalachian Basin Province is named for the Upper Ordovician Utica Shale, which is the source rock, and for multiple lower Paleozoic sandstone and carbonate units that are the important reservoirs. The total organic carbon (TOC) values for the Utica Shale are usually greater than 1 weight percent. TOC values ranging from 2 to 3 weight p
Authors
Robert T. Ryder
Map of assessed shale gas in the United States, 2012
The U.S. Geological Survey has compiled a map of shale-gas assessments in the United States that were completed by 2012 as part of the National Assessment of Oil and Gas Project. Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey quantitatively estimated potential volumes of undiscovered gas within shale-gas assessment units. These shale-gas assessment units are mapped, and s
Authors
Laura R. H. Biewick
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Ordovician Utica Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province, 2012
The U.S. Geological Survey assessed unconventional oil and gas resources of the Upper Ordovician Utica Shale and adjacent units in the Appalachian Basin Province. The assessment covers parts of Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The geologic concept is that black shale of the Utica Shale and adjacent units generated hydrocarbons from Type II organic material in ar
Authors
Mark A. Kirschbaum, Christopher J. Schenk, Troy A. Cook, Robert T. Ryder, Ronald R. Charpentier, Timothy R. Klett, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Katherine J. Whidden
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Devonian Marcellus Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimated a mean undiscovered natural gas resource of 84,198 billion cubic feet and a mean undiscovered natural gas liquids resource of 3,379 million barrels in the Devonian Marcellus Shale within the Appalachian Basin Province. All this resource occurs in continuous accumulations.
In 2011, the USGS completed an
Authors
James L. Coleman, Robert C. Milici, Troy A. Cook, Ronald R. Charpentier, Mark Kirshbaum, Timothy R. Klett, Richard M. Pollastro, Christopher J. Schenk
Below are news stories associated with this project.
The USGS has conducted numerous assessments of undiscovered oil and gas in the Appalachian Basin, including studies of the Marcellus Shale. The region extends from Alabama to Maine. The following is an overview of the assessments.
- 2019 Ordovician Point Pleasant Formation and Utica Shale (FS 2019-3044)
- 2019 Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale (FS 2019-3050)
- 2016 Sunbury and Chattanooga Shale (FS 2016-3085)
- 2012 Utica Shale (FS 2012-3116)
- 2011 Marcellus Shale (FS 2011-3092, OFR 2011-1298)
- 2008 Utica-Lower Paleozoic TPS (FS 2008-1287)
- 2006 Devonian Shale-Middle and Upper Paleozoic TPS (OFR 2006-1237)
- 2002 Assessment of Appalachian Basin (FS 009-03)
- 2002 Carboniferous Coal-Bed Gas (FS 2004-3092, OFR 2004-1272)
- 1995 Assessment (DDS-30, 35, and 36)
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).
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project - Appalachian Basin Province, Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale Assessment Units and Input Data Forms
This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units and input data for the assessment of undiscovered gas resources in the Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province, 2019. The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit is defined within the context of
USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project - Appalachian Basin Province, Point Pleasant Formation and Utica Shale Assessment Unit Boundaries and Assessment Input Data Forms
This data release contains the boundaries of assessment units and input data for the Assessment of undiscovered continuous oil and gas resources in the Upper Ordovician Point Pleasant Formation and Utica Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province, 2019. The Assessment Unit is defined within the context of the higher-level Total Petroleum System. The Assessment Unit is shown herein as a geographic bou
USGS National and Global Oil and Gas Assessment Project-Appalachian Basin Province, Upper Devonian Shales Assessment Unit Boundaries and Assessment Input Forms
The Assessment Unit is the fundamental unit used in the National Assessment Project for the assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources. The Assessment Unit is defined within the context of the higher-level Total Petroleum System. The Assessment Unit is shown herein as a geographic boundary interpreted, defined, and mapped by the geologist responsible for the province and incorporates a set o
Geologic cross section A–A′ through the Appalachian basin from the southern margin of the Ontario Lowlands province, Genesee County, western New York, to the Valley and Ridge province, Lycoming County, north-central Pennsylvania
IntroductionGeologic cross section A–A′ is the fifth in a series of cross sections constructed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to document and improve understanding of the geologic framework and petroleum systems of the Appalachian basin. Cross section A–A′ provides a regional view of the structural and stratigraphic framework of the Appalachian basin from the southern margin of the Ontar
Geologic Cross Section I–I′ Through the Appalachian Basin from the Eastern Margin of the Illinois Basin, Jefferson County, Kentucky, to the Valley and Ridge Province, Scott County, Virginia
Geologic cross section I‒I’ is the fourth in a series of cross sections constructed by the U.S. Geological Survey to document and improve understanding of the geologic framework and petroleum systems of the Appalachian basin. Cross section I‒I’ provides a regional view of the structural and stratigraphic framework of the Appalachian basin from the eastern margin of the Illinois basin in central Ke
Thermal maturity map of Devonian shale in the Illinois, Michigan, and Appalachian basins of North America
Much of the oil and gas in the Illinois, Michigan, and Appalachian basins of eastern North America is thought to be derived from Devonian shale that is within these basins (for example, Milici and others, 2003; Swezey, 2002, 2008, 2009; Swezey and others, 2005, 2007). As the Devonian strata were buried by younger sediments, the Devonian shale was subjected to great temperature and pressure, and in
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 21
Assessment of undiscovered gas resources in the Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province, 2019
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable continuous mean resources of 96.5 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province.
Authors
Debra K. Higley, Catherine B. Enomoto, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Tracey J. Mercier, Christopher J. Schenk, Michael H. Trippi, Phuong A. Le, Michael E. Brownfield, Cheryl A. Woodall, Kristen R. Marra, Marilyn E. Tennyson
Assessment of undiscovered continuous oil and gas resources in the Upper Ordovician Point Pleasant Formation and Utica Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province, 2019
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable continuous mean resources of 1.8 billion barrels of oil and 117.2 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Upper Ordovician Point Pleasant Formation and Utica Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province.
Authors
Catherine B. Enomoto, Michael H. Trippi, Debra K. Higley, Ronald M. Drake, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Tracey J. Mercier, Michael E. Brownfield, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Phuong A. Le, Kristen R. Marra, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Cheryl A. Woodall, Christopher J. Schenk
Ordovician Point Pleasant/Utica-Lower Paleozoic Total Petroleum System—Revisions to the Utica-Lower Paleozoic Total Petroleum System in the Appalachian Basin Province
Hydrocarbon reserves and technically recoverable undiscovered resources in continuous accumulations are present in Upper Ordovician strata in the Appalachian Basin Province. The province includes parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. The Upper Ordovician strata are part of the previously defined Utica-Lower Paleozoic To
Authors
Catherine B. Enomoto, Michael H. Trippi, Debra K. Higley
Assessment of undiscovered continuous gas resources in Upper Devonian Shales of the Appalachian Basin Province, 2017
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated mean undiscovered, technically recoverable continuous resources of 10.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in Upper Devonian shales of the Appalachian Basin Province.
Authors
Catherine B. Enomoto, Michael H. Trippi, Debra K. Higley, William A. Rouse, Frank T. Dulong, Timothy R. Klett, Tracey J. Mercier, Michael E. Brownfield, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Thomas M. Finn, Kristen R. Marra, Phuong A. Le, Cheryl A. Woodall, Christopher J. Schenk
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Mississippian Sunbury shale and Devonian–Mississippian Chattanooga shale in the Appalachian Basin Province, 2016
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated mean undiscovered, technically recoverable continuous resources that total 464 million barrels of oil and 4.08 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Lower Mississippian Sunbury Shale and Middle Devonian–Lower Mississippian Chattanooga Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province.
Authors
Debra K. Higley, William A. Rouse, Catherine B. Enomoto, Michael H. Trippi, Timothy R. Klett, Tracey J. Mercier, Michael E. Brownfield, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Ronald M. Drake, Thomas M. Finn, Nicholas J. Gianoutsos, Ofori N. Pearson, Colin A. Doolan, Phuong A. Le, Christopher J. Schenk
Revisions to the original extent of the Devonian Shale-Middle and Upper Paleozoic Total Petroleum System
Technically recoverable undiscovered hydrocarbon resources in continuous accumulations are present in Upper Devonian and Lower Mississippian strata in the Appalachian Basin Petroleum Province. The province includes parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. The Upper Devonian and Lower Mississippian strata are part of the pr
Authors
Catherine B. Enomoto, William A. Rouse, Michael H. Trippi, Debra K. Higley
U.S. Geological Survey assessments of continuous (unconventional) oil and gas resources, 2000 to 2011
From 2000 to 2011, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted 139 quantitative assessments of continuous (unconventional) oil and gas accumulations within the United States. This report documents those assessments more fully than previously done by providing detailed documentation of both the assessment input and output. This report also compiles the data into spreadsheet tables that can be more readily
Authors
Map of assessed coalbed-gas resources in the United States, 2014
This report presents a digital map of coalbed-gas resource assessments in the United States as part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Assessment of Oil and Gas Project. Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the USGS quantitatively estimated potential volumes of undiscovered, technically recoverable natural gas resources within coalbed-gas assessment units (AUs). This is the t
Authors
Laura R. H. Biewick
Assessment of Appalachian basin oil and gas resources: Utica-Lower Paleozoic Total Petroleum System
The Utica-Lower Paleozoic Total Petroleum System (TPS) in the Appalachian Basin Province is named for the Upper Ordovician Utica Shale, which is the source rock, and for multiple lower Paleozoic sandstone and carbonate units that are the important reservoirs. The total organic carbon (TOC) values for the Utica Shale are usually greater than 1 weight percent. TOC values ranging from 2 to 3 weight p
Authors
Robert T. Ryder
Map of assessed shale gas in the United States, 2012
The U.S. Geological Survey has compiled a map of shale-gas assessments in the United States that were completed by 2012 as part of the National Assessment of Oil and Gas Project. Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey quantitatively estimated potential volumes of undiscovered gas within shale-gas assessment units. These shale-gas assessment units are mapped, and s
Authors
Laura R. H. Biewick
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Ordovician Utica Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province, 2012
The U.S. Geological Survey assessed unconventional oil and gas resources of the Upper Ordovician Utica Shale and adjacent units in the Appalachian Basin Province. The assessment covers parts of Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The geologic concept is that black shale of the Utica Shale and adjacent units generated hydrocarbons from Type II organic material in ar
Authors
Mark A. Kirschbaum, Christopher J. Schenk, Troy A. Cook, Robert T. Ryder, Ronald R. Charpentier, Timothy R. Klett, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Katherine J. Whidden
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Devonian Marcellus Shale of the Appalachian Basin Province
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimated a mean undiscovered natural gas resource of 84,198 billion cubic feet and a mean undiscovered natural gas liquids resource of 3,379 million barrels in the Devonian Marcellus Shale within the Appalachian Basin Province. All this resource occurs in continuous accumulations.
In 2011, the USGS completed an
Authors
James L. Coleman, Robert C. Milici, Troy A. Cook, Ronald R. Charpentier, Mark Kirshbaum, Timothy R. Klett, Richard M. Pollastro, Christopher J. Schenk
Below are news stories associated with this project.