Appalachia a potential treasure trove of hydrocarbons, says USGS

Gary Park, Petroleum News Calgary correspondent

The U.S. Geological Survey has identified a wealth of hydrocarbon riches in the Appalachia Basin, which stretches down the eastern United States.

In its 2003 reserve assessment, the USGS said the basin, which embraces 10 states and six petroleum systems, has potential recoverable, undiscovered reserves of 70.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, 54 million barrels of oil and 872 million barrels of natural gas liquids.

Of the gas, 94 percent exists in non-conventional formations, with 13 percent in coalbed methane, leaving 4.3 trillion cubic feet as conventional gas.