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Basin
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A basin is a depression in the Earth's surface that is formed by geological processes such as erosion and earthquakes. Basins contain organic sediments collected over thousands of years. These sediments produce hydrocarbons over time, which are extracted and refined into oil and natural gas.[1][2][3]
Background
Geological processes over thousands of years help generate and accumulate hydrocarbons, which are naturally occurring compounds composed of carbon and hydrogen. Sedimentary basins are the primary source of natural gas, oil, and coal, which are types of hydrocarbon. These basins hold the remains of the organic matter that over millions of years become natural gas, oil, and coal under pressure. Basins also may contain shale rock containing an organic compound called kerogen, which can be converted to crude oil or natural gas.[4][1][2]
Oil and gas basins in the United States
Below is a list of all the basins in the lower 48 states containing fossil fuels, current as of May 2011. The map below shows major gas plays in the United States. On the right is a map of the assessed shale oil and gas basins worldwide as of May 2011.[5]
- Anadarko Basin
- Appalachian Basin
- Ardmore Basin
- Arkoma Basin
- Big Horn Basin
- Black Warrior Basin
- Denver Basin
- Forest City Basin
- Ft. Worth Basin
- Greater Green River Basin
- Illinois Basin
- Los Angeles Basin
- Marfa Basin
- Marta Basin
- Michigan Basin
- Montana Thrust Belt
- Monterey Basin
- Palo Duro Basin
- Paradox Basin
- Park Basin
- Permian Basin
- Piceance Basin
- Power River Basin
- Raton Basin
- Raton Basin
- San Juan Basin
- Santa Maria Basin
- TX LA MS Salt Basin
- Uinta Basin
- Ventura Basin
- Williston Basin
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Oilfield Review, "Basin to Basin: Plate Tectonics in Exploration," Autumn 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Schlumberger, "Oilfield Glossary," accessed April 24, 2014
- ↑ U.S. Energy Information Administration, "Shale in the United States," September 15, 2016
- ↑ National Geographic, "Basin," accessed March 8, 2017
- ↑ U.S. Energy Information Administration, "Lower 48 states shale plays," May 9, 2011
