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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database
Houston Geological Society Bulletin
Abstract
Abstract: Developing Role for U.S. Geological Survey's Oil and Gas Branch
in the Energy Crisis
By
The organization of the U.S. Geological Survey, and its functions relative to petroleum
exploration and production, are generally ill-understood by private industry. The Conservation
Division of the Geological Survey is concerned primarily with evaluation of mineral
leases, and with regulation of mineral operations on public and Indian lands, whereas the
Branch of Oil and Gas Resources of the Geologic Division conducts research that 1) contributes
to improved exploration procedures, and 2) helps appraise the petroleum potential
of frontier areas so as to advise the Executive Branch of Government in planning national
energy programs. Successful cooperation between private industry and the Oil and Gas
Branch clearly will further both aspects of this research.
The Oil and Gas Branch was organized in August, 1972, and has grown from about 20
full-time professionals to about 80 full-time professionals. Most of this new staff has come
from private industry, thus affording the Branch considerable current expertise in economic
petroleum geology. Funding has increased substantially, primarily through the President's
Energy Research Program of 1973. Acquisition of modern equipment promises to make the
Oil and Gas Branch, together with sister branches of marine geology, capable of generating
modern geophysical data in frontier OCS areas.
Current research projects fall into categories of "topical research" and "geographic research."
Of particular interest are topical research projects in indirect geochemical detection
of hydrocarbons, generation and migration of petroleum, porosity prediction in sand -
stone reservoirs, deep-water clastic sediments, and development of bore-hole gravity meters.
Examples of geographic research include the Atlantic OCS, Southern California Borderland,
and Cretaceous of the Western Interior. Service projects include the Core Libraries
program
and Circum-pacific Energy Conference project.
It is clear that responsible, impartial, and informed advice on petroleum exploration will End_Page 2--------------- be needed by Government as the nation seeks to maximize its petroleum production during
the critical next 10-30 years, and that the present adversary relationship between private
industry and Government is counter-productive toward the national energy need. Hopefully,
the Oil and Gas Branch of the Geological Survey may be able to assist in forging a productive
cooperation between Government and the private sector. End_of_Record - Last_Page 3---------------