The Fossil Energy
component conducts approximately two-thirds of the current Bureau
research effort. This component of the Bureau focuses on research
involving energy resources, primarily oil and natural gas. It includes
four Industrial Associates programs for basic research, as well
as numerous sponsored-research projects funded by the State of Texas,
the DOE, and individual companies or groups of companies.
Main areas of
focus include salt tectonics, carbonate and clastic reservoir characterization,
fracture characterization and prediction, multicomponent seismic
applications, and basin analysis. We are noted for continuing to
bring insight and innovation from outcrop studies to the evolving
science of reservoir characterization. With 70% of in-place reserves
typically remaining in the ground at the time of oil field abandonment,
this research has enduring economic and societal importance.
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