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Unconventional Energy Resources: 2011 Review

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Abstract

This report contains nine unconventional energy resource commodity summaries prepared by committees of the Energy Minerals Division (EMD) of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Unconventional energy resources, as used in this report, are those energy resources that do not occur in discrete oil or gas reservoirs held in structural or stratigraphic traps in sedimentary basins. These resources include coal, coalbed methane, gas hydrates, tight gas sands, gas shale and shale oil, geothermal resources, oil sands, oil shale, and uranium resources. Current U.S. and global research and development activities are summarized for each unconventional energy commodity in the topical sections of this report. Coal and uranium are expected to supply a significant portion of the world’s energy mix in coming years. Coalbed methane continues to supply about 9% of the U.S. gas production and exploration is expanding in other countries. Recently, natural gas produced from shale and low-permeability (tight) sandstone has made a significant contribution to the energy supply of the United States and is an increasing target for exploration around the world. In addition, oil from shale and heavy oil from sandstone are a new exploration focus in many areas (including the Green River area of Wyoming and northern Alberta). In recent years, research in the areas of geothermal energy sources and gas hydrates has continued to advance. Reviews of the current research and the stages of development of these unconventional energy resources are described in the various sections of this report.

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Notes

  1. U.S. Geological Survey, 956 National Center, Reston, VA 20192, USA.

  2. Jackson School of Geosciences, Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713-8924, USA; Chair, EMD Coal Committee.

  3. Geological Survey of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486-6999, USA; Acting Chair, EMD Coalbed Methane Committee.

  4. Hydrate Energy International, Kenner, LA 70065, USA; Chair, EMD Gas Hydrates Committee.

  5. DeGolyer and MacNaughton, Dallas, TX 75244, USA; Chair, EMD Gas (Tight) Sands Committee.

  6. U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO 80225, USA; Chair, EMD Gas Shales Committee.

  7. Bereskin and Associates, Salt Lake City, UT 84109, USA.

  8. Bowker Petroleum, LLC, The Woodlands, TX 77380, USA.

  9. Oklahoma Geological Survey, Norman, OK 73019, USA.

  10. Utah Geological Survey, Salt Lake City, UT 84114, USA.

  11. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA 20192, USA.

  12. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA.

  13. Worldwide Geochemistry, Humble, TX 77347, USA.

  14. DeGolyer and MacNaughton, Dallas, TX 75244, USA.

  15. North Dakota Geological Survey, Grand Forks, ND 58503, USA.

  16. Arkansas Geological Survey, Little Rock, AK 72204, USA.

  17. Egret Consulting, Calgary, AB T3H 5W8, Canada.

  18. New York State Museum, Albany, NY 12230, USA.

  19. GeoX Consulting, Salt Lake City, UT 84105, USA.

  20. Countrymark Energy Resources, LLC, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.

  21. Williams Production Co., Denver, CO80202, USA.

  22. Access Energy (A Calnetix Company), Midland, TX 79703, USA; Chair, EMD Geothermal Energy Committee.

  23. U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO 80225, USA; Chair, EMD Oil Sands Committee.

  24. Energy Resources Conservation Board, Calgary, AB T2P 0R4, Canada; Vice-Chair, EMD Oil Sands Committee.

  25. Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, CO 80401, USA; Chair, EMD Oil Shale Committee.

  26. I2 M Associates, LLC, Houston, TX 77019, USA; Chair, EMD Uranium (and Nuclear Minerals) Committee.

  27. The Consulting Operation, Canyon Lake, TX 78133, USA; EMD Councilor – Gulf Coast Region (Deceased).

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    American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Unconventional Energy Resources: 2011 Review. Nat Resour Res 20, 279–328 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-011-9157-x

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