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Title: Geologic Analysis of Priority Basins for Exploration and Drilling

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6060· OSTI ID:6060

There has been a substantial decline in both exploratory drilling and seismic field crew activity in the United States over the last 10 years, due primarily to the declining price of oil. To reverse this trend and to preserve the entrepreneurial independent operator, the U.S. DOE is attempting to encourage hydrocarbon exploration activities in some of the under exploited regions of the United States. This goal is being accomplished by conducting broad regional reviews of potentially prospective areas within the lower 48 states. Data are being collected on selected areas, and studies are being done on a regional scale generally unavailable to the smaller independent. The results of this work will be made available to the public to encourage the undertaking of operations in areas which have been overlooked until this project. Fifteen criteria have been developed for the selection of study areas. Eight regions have been identified where regional geologic analysis will be performed. This report discusses preliminary findings concerning the geology, early tectonic history, structure and potential unconventional source rocks for the Black Mesa basin and South Central states region, the two highest priority study areas.

Research Organization:
National Energy Technology Lab. (NETL), Tulsa, OK (United States). National Petroleum Technology Office (NPTO)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE) (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC22-94PC91008
OSTI ID:
6060
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/91008-0062; TRN: AH200115%%216
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 27 Apr 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English