USGS Identifies Trillions Cubic Feet Gas, Hundreds Millions Barrels Oil in Wyoming, Louisiana, Gulf Coast

Recent assessments by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have highlighted substantial undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources across key U.S. regions, reinforcing their potential roles in domestic energy production. In southwestern Wyoming and parts of Utah and Colorado, the Mowry Composite Total Petroleum System is estimated to contain about 473 million barrels of oil and 27 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, resources that could significantly enhance energy independence and economic growth. Similarly, the Gulf Coast region, particularly the Hosston and Travis Peak formations spanning Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, holds approximately 35.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 28 million barrels of oil, with much of the gas classified as 'tight gas' requiring advanced extraction techniques like horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. These findings come amid ongoing concerns about natural gas supply constraints, as production declines and exploration restrictions persist in some areas, underscoring the importance of unlocking unconventional gas resources. The USGS assessments are intended to inform policymakers and land management agencies to guide responsible development of these resources, which align with broader strategies to boost domestic fossil fuel production. Industry experts view the advances in extraction technology as crucial to tapping into these reserves, offering renewed momentum for regions like Louisiana and Wyoming in the national energy landscape.