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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 66 (1982)

Issue: 5. (May)

First Page: 550

Last Page: 551

Title: U.S. Geological Survey Activities in Oil Shale: ABSTRACT

Author(s): Marc W. Bodine, Jr.

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

Since the early 20th century, the U.S. Geological Survey has been concerned with oil shale; the extent of Survey activity has fluctuated widely during these decades as functions of changing national energy needs and economic outlook for competitive production. Recent international events, namely the rapid price escalation of crude oil imposed by OPEC and the ever-lingering concern over further import constraints, have again made oil shale a potentially attractive energy source. Although organic-rich shales occur in several formations in the United States, the rich deposits of the Green River Formation in Colorado, Utah,

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and Wyoming have received the most attention by both the Survey and prospective developers. Widespread Survey optimism on oil shale's viable future was emphasized by increased funding in 1981 for Conservation Division's enlarged monitoring and regulatory office in Grand Junction, an expanded research and resource appraisal program for Geologic Division, and for Water Resources Division's hydrologic studies. Deep drilling, coring, and hydrologic testing in the east-central Uinta basin, supported by Geologic, Conservation, and Water Resources Divisions, is currently under way. Environmental investigations related to oil-shale development and production are concentrated in Water Resources and Conservation Divisions along with associated regulatory responsibilities and interagency coordin tion. In Geologic Division, we are (1) providing basic geologic data to support the government's prototype oil-shale and by-product saline mineral leasing program; (2) continuing stratigraphic, mineralogic, geochemical, and resource appraisal studies; and (3) expanding the computer data base for oil-shale resources and the associated software for more flexible and varied information retrieval and display. We are convinced the enormity of the resource, its occurrence in a relatively small geographic area, and its potential national and international impact require comprehensive basinwide planning and development to achieve maximum recovery of the resource with minimum loss and degradation.

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Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists