US Geological survey activities in oil shale

Since the early 20th century, the US 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 have again made oil shale a potentially attractive energy source. Although organic-rich shales occur in several formations in the US, the rich deposits of the Green River Formation in Colorado, Utah, 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, Colorado, an expanded research and resource appraisal program for Geologic Division, and for Water Resources Division's hydrological studies. Deep drilling, coring, and hydrologic testing the E. Central Uinta Basin, supported by Geologic, Conservation, and Water Resources Divisions, currently is under way.