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Geoffrey S Ellis

Geoffrey Ellis is a petroleum geochemist with the Energy Resources Program (ERP) of the US Geological Survey. He manages the sealed tube and hydrous pyrolysis laboratories within the Central Energy Resources Science Center.

Geoffrey Ellis' research interests encompass the areas of organic-inorganic interactions in petroleum systems, gas isotope geochemistry, and the controls on sedimentary organic geochemistry in aquatic environments. He has published extensively on the process of thermochemical sulfate reduction and its impact on petroleum geochemistry. He is also actively investigating the application of compound-specific sulfur isotope analysis to problems in petroleum and organic geochemistry. He also has ongoing research projects involving clumped and position specific isotope analysis of hydrocarbons and organosulfur compounds and their relation to petroleum formation processes.

 

Professional Experience

  • 2006-Present: Research Geologist, Energy Resources Program, USGS

  • 2003-2006: Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology

  • 1996-2003: Graduate Research Assistant, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami

  • 1994-1996: Consulting Petroleum Geochemist, Venezuela

  • 1991-1994: Physical Scientist, Nation Research Program, Water Resources Division, USGS

  • 1988-1990: Geochemist, Northeast Research Institute

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Marine Geology and Geophysics, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami

  • M.S., Geochemistry, Colorado School of Mines

  • B.A., Geological Sciences, Cornell University

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • Affiliate faculty Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines

  • Member American Association of Petroleum Geologists, European Association of Organic Geochemists, Geochemical Society, Geological Society of America

  • Member Association of Afro-Asian Petroleum Geochemists, Latin American Association of Organic Geochemistry

  • Member of the “Committee on Research” of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (2009-present)

  • Vice-chairman of the executive council of the Association of Afro-Asian Petroleum Geochemists

  • Founding member of the editorial board of the journal Petroleum Research

  • Member of the editorial board of the English-language version of the journal Acta Petrolei Sinica

  • Member of the editorial board of the journal Journal of Natural Gas Geoscience

  • Member of the editorial board of the journal Unconventional Resources

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 74

Prospectivity mapping for geologic hydrogen

Geologic, or naturally occurring, hydrogen has the potential to become a new, low-carbon, primary energy resource. Often referred to as “white” or “gold” hydrogen, this gas occurs naturally in the Earth’s subsurface, similar to petroleum resources. However, unlike petroleum, which releases carbon dioxide when burned, burning hydrogen only produces water as a byproduct. Exploration for...
Authors
Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Geoffrey S. Ellis
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Model predictions of global geologic hydrogen resources

Geologic hydrogen could be a low-carbon primary energy resource; however, the magnitude of Earth’s subsurface endowment has not yet been assessed. Knowledge of the occurrence and behavior of natural hydrogen on Earth has been combined with information from geologic analogs to construct a mass balance model to predict the resource potential. Given the associated uncertainty, stochastic...
Authors
Geoffrey S. Ellis, Sarah E. Gelman
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Assessment of conventional and continuous oil and gas resources in the Lewis Shale in the Southwestern Wyoming Province, Wyoming and Colorado, 2023

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional and continuous resources of 294 million barrels of oil and 11 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Lewis Shale in the Southwestern Wyoming Province, Wyoming and Colorado.
Authors
Jane S. Hearon, Christopher J. Schenk, Thomas M. Finn, Benjamin G. Johnson, Sarah E. Gelman, Jenny H. Lagesse, Cheryl A. Woodall, Tracey J. Mercier, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kira K. Timm, Ronald M. Drake, Andrea D. Cicero, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Michael H. Gardner, Phuong A. Le, Scott S. Young
By
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
By
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
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Middle-late Holocene paleolimnological changes in central Lake Tanganyika: Integrated evidence from the Kavala Island Ridge (Tanzania)

Middle and Late Holocene sediments have not been extensively sampled in Lake Tanganyika, and much remains unknown about the response of the Rift Valley’s largest lake to major environmental shifts during the Holocene, including the termination of the African Humid Period (AHP). Here, we present an integrated study (sedimentology, mineralogy, and geochemistry) of a radiocarbon-dated...
Authors
Leandro Domingos-Luz, Michael J. Soreghan, Giliane Gessica Rasbold, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Justin E. Birdwell, Ishmael A. Kimirei, Christopher H. Scholz, Michael M McGlue
By
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
By
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 continuous oil and gas resources in Upper Cretaceous marine shales of the Raton Basin-Sierra Grande Uplift Province, Colorado and New Mexico, 2022

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 1.04 billion barrels of oil, 3.9 trillion cubic feet of gas, and 11 million barrels of natural gas liquids in Upper Cretaceous marine shales in the Raton Basin-Sierra Grande Uplift Province in Colorado and New Mexico.
Authors
Thomas M. Finn, Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, Cheryl A. Woodall, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Michael H. Gardner, Sarah E. Gelman, Jane S. Hearon, Benjamin G. Johnson, Scott A. Kinney, Jenny H. Lagesse, 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 coalbed gas resources in the Raton Basin-Sierra Grande Uplift Province, Colorado and New Mexico, 2022

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a mean of 5.2 trillion cubic feet of coalbed gas in the Vermejo Formation and Raton Formation of the Raton Basin-Sierra Grande Uplift Province.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Thomas M. Finn, Tracey J. Mercier, Cheryl A. Woodall, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake, Geoffrey S. Ellis, 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 continuous oil and gas resources in the Bakken Formation of northwest Montana, 2022

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 220 million barrels of continuous oil and 1 trillion cubic feet of continuous gas in the Bakken Formation of northwest Montana.
Authors
Christopher J. Schenk, Michael H. Gardner, Tracey J. Mercier, Cheryl A. Woodall, Phuong A. Le, Andrea D. Cicero, Ronald M. Drake, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Thomas M. Finn, 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
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Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

Mapping Prospectivity for Geologic Hydrogen

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has developed a new methodology to identify regions in the United States with the potential for naturally occurring hydrogen. This innovative approach supports clean energy research and exploration, marking a major step forward in diversifying the nation’s energy portfolio.
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
link

Mapping Prospectivity for Geologic Hydrogen

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has developed a new methodology to identify regions in the United States with the potential for naturally occurring hydrogen. This innovative approach supports clean energy research and exploration, marking a major step forward in diversifying the nation’s energy portfolio.
Learn More
link
Map of geologic hydrogen prospectivity

Geologic Hydrogen

The USGS Geologic Hydrogen Project conducts research on naturally occurring hydrogen across the nation and the world. The project provides critical scientific insight and data that support the discovery, assessment, and responsible management of geologic hydrogen resources. Research efforts are focused on understanding the natural processes that could lead to recoverable geologic hydrogen...
By
Energy and Mineral Resources Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
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Geologic Hydrogen

The USGS Geologic Hydrogen Project conducts research on naturally occurring hydrogen across the nation and the world. The project provides critical scientific insight and data that support the discovery, assessment, and responsible management of geologic hydrogen resources. Research efforts are focused on understanding the natural processes that could lead to recoverable geologic hydrogen...
Learn More

Data Release for Prospectivity Mapping for Geologic Hydrogen

This data release contains multiple data layers and describes the processing steps associated with the U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1900 "Prospectivity Mapping for Geologic Hydrogen". The data comprise the geologic and geophysical inputs used in support of the U.S. Geological Survey's efforts to create the first map of geologic hydrogen prospectivity within the U.S. The maps...
By
Central Energy Resources Science Center

Geochemical and spectroscopic data on core samples from Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania

This data release contains geochemical and spectroscopic laboratory results associated with the journal article "Middle-Late Holocene paleolimnological changes in central Lake Tanganyika: Integrated evidence from the Kavala Island Ridge (Tanzania)". Data include bulk organic geochemistry, organic stable carbon isotope, and infrared spectroscopic analyses. Location for LT-TANG17-9B-1U-1...
By
Central Energy Resources Science Center

Sedimentary geochemistry of a deepwater slope environment of southern Lake Tanganyika

This dataset contains geochemical data (Total Inorganic Carbon, Total Organic Carbon, Total Nitrogen, δ13C of Organic Carbon, Hydrogen Index, Oxygen Index, Zirconium/Aluminum, and Magnetic Susceptibility) for sediments from one short (~1 m) core collected in 420 m of water in southern Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania.
By
Central Energy Resources Science Center, Petroleum Geochemistry Research Laboratory

Stable Isotopic Data (Delta13C and Delta2H) for Reference Materials HCG-1, HCG-2, and HCG-3

Stable carbon and hydrogen isotopic data generated by off-line preparation and dual inlet mass spectrometric analysis used the determine the recommended values for the reference materials HCG-1, HCG-2, and HCG-3.
By
Central Energy Resources Science Center
USGS releases first-ever map of potential for geologic hydrogen in U.S.

USGS releases first-ever map of potential for geologic hydrogen in U.S.

RESTON, Va. — The U.S. Geological Survey today published the first map of the prospective locations of naturally-occurring geologic hydrogen resources...

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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

GOLDEN, Colorado (Feb. 26, 2024) – Colorado School of Mines (Mines) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have established a joint industry program...

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The Potential for Geologic Hydrogen for Next-Generation Energy

The Potential for Geologic Hydrogen for Next-Generation Energy

A previously overlooked, potential geologic source of energy could increase the renewability and lower the carbon footprint of our nation’s energy...

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USGS Releases New Standards for Natural Gas

USGS Releases New Standards for Natural Gas

USGS now has the new standard for natural gas.

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Science and Products

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government

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