Petroleum Geology — Federal Grants

Supporting the Success of Physical and Quantitative Sciences Scholars in Rural Appalachia

Anna Mummert · Marshall University Research Corporation

Conference: Multi-disciplinary views of subduction processes

Kathleen Surpless · Trinity University

Developing STEM Identities and Geoarchaeological Innovation through Immersive Technology for Workforce Pathways

Laurie Miroff · SUNY at Binghamton

Collaborative Research: Seismic Experiment for Eastern Aleutian Subduction Tremor and Earthquake Research

Helen Janiszewski · University of Hawaii

Collaborative Research: Integrated Experimental and Modeling Approach to Understand Controls on Subduction Zone Earthquakes

Srisharan Shreedharan · Utah State University

Collaborative Research: Seismic Experiment for Eastern Aleutian Subduction Tremor and Earthquake Research

Songqiao Wei · Michigan State University

S-STEM: Preparing Impactful Engineers in Oklahoma

Sarah Breen · University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Collaborative Research: Integrated Experimental and Modeling Approach to Understand Controls on Subduction Zone Earthquakes

Demian Saffer · University of Texas at Austin

Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) Approach for Interpretation of Piezocone Tests Based on Cavity Expansion and Consolidation Theory

Shengli Chen · Louisiana State University

Collaborative Research: Nutrient Cycling in the Benguela Upwelling System during the Pliocene Epoch

Daniel Sigman · Princeton University

Collaborative Research: Nutrient Cycling in the Benguela Upwelling System during the Pliocene Epoch

Jesse Farmer · University of Massachusetts Boston

STTR Phase I: Conversion of Low-Value Polyethylene into Surfactant-Relevant Olefins

Adrian DiMarco · Tolefin Inc.

ENTERGY TEXAS, INC.

THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THE BUILDING GRID RESILIENCE TO MITIGATE IMPACTS OF EXTREME WEATHER IN PORT ARTHUR, TX PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE GRID RESILIENCE AND INCREASE POWER CAPACITY IN PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS. THIS CITY SERVES AS A MAJOR HUB FOR THE U.S. PETROLEUM INDUSTRY AND A HOME TO OVER 55,000 RESIDENTS WHO HAVE FACED SOME OF THE MOST EXTREME WEATHER IN THE COUNTRY.

ADVANCED RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, INC

THE CENTRAL APPALACHIAN CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) STORAGE HUB PROJECT SEEKS TO ESTABLISH A CO2 STORAGE HUB THAT WILL ALSO SUPPORT THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF ENHANCED HYDROCARBON RECOVERY IN THE REGION. THE PROJECT TEAM WILL CHARACTERIZE GEOLOGIC RESERVOIR AND CAPROCK CARBON STORAGE (CS) SYSTEMS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR SUITABILITY FOR CO2 STORAGE AND CAPROCK COMPETENCE. THE PROJECT WILL COMPLETE TWO STRATIGRAPHIC TEST WELLS FOR GEOLOGIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE TARGETED FORMATIONS. A CONCURRENT FRONT END ENGINEERING DESIGN (FEED) STUDY FOR AN ASSOCIATED CO2 TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND A CO2 SOURCE FEASIBILITY STUDY WILL ALSO BE PURSUED AS A COMPONENT OF THE PROJECT. IN PARALLEL, THE PROJECT WILL DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE OIL AND GAS DATABASE THAT ALLOWS FEASIBILITY LEVEL SCREENING OF EOR AND EGR CANDIDATES IN THE REGION. ADDITIONALLY, A PIPELINE FEASIBILITY PROJECT WILL BE DEVELOPED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CO2 DELIVERY INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER CO2 TO THESE HYDROCARBON BEARING FIELDS TO PROMOTE ENHANCED RECOVERY OPERATIONS.

LANZATECH, INC.

LOW CARBON HYDROCARBON FUELS FROM INDUSTRIAL OFF GAS

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO DEMONSTRATE THE FEASIBILITY AND EFFICIENCY OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY PRODUCTION IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES BY REPURPOSING UNCONVENTIONAL GAS WELLS IN THE UTICA SHALE WITHIN THE APPALACHIAN BASIN. WE AIM TO ESTABLISH THIS REGION AS A RELIABLE SOURCE OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY BY PROVING THE REPEATABILITY AND RELIABILITY OF CONVERTING EXISTING HYDROCARBON WELLS INTO GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES THROUGH SAFE AND WELL-ENGINEERED RESERVOIR STIMULATION PROCESSES AND INNOVATIVE WELL COMPLETION AND OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES. THE END-OF-PROJECT GOAL IS TO DEMONSTRATE THE PATHWAY TO A MINIMUM OF 1 MWE OF ENERGY GENERATION AND THE DOCUMENTATION OF METHODS, WORKFLOWS, AND DATA GENERATED BY THE PROJECT UPLOADED TO AID FUTURE GEOTHERMAL OPERATIONS.

THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY

CENTER FOR MECHANISTIC CONTROL OF WATER-HYDROCARBON-ROCK INTERACTIONS IN UNCONVENTIONAL AND TIGHT OIL FORMATIONS

UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING

DE-FE0031787 / BASE AWARD ''FIELD PILOT OF FOAM ASSISTED HYDROCARBON GAS INJECTION IN BAKKEN FORMATIONS'' UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA

HIERARCHICAL DESIGN OF SUPPORTED ORGANOMETALLIC CATALYSIS FOR HYDROCARBON TRANSFORMATIONS...

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

REGIONAL INITIATIVE FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIPS - PERMIAN BASIN (RITAP-PB). THIS PROJECT WILL CREATE A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP THAT WILL ACCELERATE THE DEPLOYMENT OF STORAGE-BASED CARBON UTILIZATION PROJECTS IN THE PERMIAN BASIN. THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STAKEHOLDERS IN THE PERMIAN BASIN REGION TO ENSURE EFFICIENT CARBON UTILIZATION AND ENHANCED OIL/GAS RECOVERY OPERATIONS, AN EVALUATION OF CROSS-CUTTING RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES, AND STRATEGIES FOR LEGAL AND REGULATORY ISSUES RELATED TO CARBON UTILIZATION, ENHANCED OIL/GAS RECOVERY, AND CROSS-CUTTING PROJECTS. IT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE GOALS OF INCREASED EFFICIENCIES AND RELIABILITY OF MIDSTREAM INFRASTRUCTURE; AND INCREASED DOMESTIC ENERGY PRODUCTION AND HYDROCARBON RECOVERY.

BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE

THE OBJECTIVE OF THE APPALACHIAN CARBON EDUCATION PROGRAM (ACEP) IS TO ACCELERATE THE DEPLOYMENT OF STORAGE-BASED PROJECTS ACROSS THE APPALACHIAN BASIN REGION OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. THE RECIPIENT SHALL ESTABLISH ALLIANCES WITH BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE REGION WITH EXTENSIVE TECHNICAL, ECONOMIC, LEGAL, REGULATORY, AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERTISE SPECIFIC TO CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) TRANSPORT AND STORAGE, INCLUDING ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY (EOR) AND ENHANCED GAS RECOVERY (EGR), FOCUSING SPECIFICALLY ON DEPLETED OILFIELDS AND UNCONVENTIONAL HYDROCARBON RESOURCES COMMON TO THE AREA.

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

THE UINTA-PICEANCE BASIN CARBON STORAGE AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP. THIS PROJECT WILL CREATE A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP THAT WILL ACCELERATE THE GROWTH OF A CARBON UTILIZATION AND STORAGE INDUSTRY IN UINTA-PICEANCE BASIN. THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INCLUDING DATA GAP ANALYSIS AND SITE READINESS, TECHNOLOGY MATCHING AND SITING, TRANSPORTATION ROUTING, POLICY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS, UTILIZATION SYNERGIES, LIFE-CYCLE ANALYSES, AND CARBON CAPTURE, UTILIZATION, AND STORAGE (CCUS) DIRECTORY DEVELOPMENT. IT CONTRIBUTES TO GOALS OF INCREASED EFFICIENCIES AND RELIABILITY OF MIDSTREAM INFRASTRUCTURE, AND INCREASED AND LOWER COST HYDROCARBON RECOVERY.

DEEP BLUE GEOPHYSICS, LLC

DEEP BLUE GEOPHYSICS, LLC - NEW AWARD CONTROL #3593-1504 DE-FOA-0003593 (ROCKS SBIR/STTR) TITLE: V6EM: UAV-BASED CONTROLLED-SOURCE ELECTROMAGNETICS FOR RAPID ORE CHARACTERIZATION DEEP BLUE GEOPHYSICS, LLC IS DEVELOPING V6EM, A NEXT-GENERATION MINERAL EXPLORATION SYSTEM THAT DEPLOYS COORDINATED DRONE FLEETS TO MAP SUBSURFACE GEOLOGY AT DEPTHS UP TO 1,000 METERS. THE TECHNOLOGY ADAPTS CONTROLLED-SOURCE ELECTROMAGNETIC METHODS, WIDELY USED AND VALIDATED IN OFFSHORE ENERGY EXPLORATION, TO THE CHALLENGE OF LOCATING CRITICAL MINERALS ON LAND. THE SYSTEM WORKS BY TRANSMITTING BROADBAND ELECTROMAGNETIC SIGNALS FROM GROUND-BASED SOURCES WHILE SENSOR-EQUIPPED DRONES FLY OVERHEAD, MEASURING ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELD RESPONSES AT THOUSANDS OF LOCATIONS. CLOUD-BASED PROCESSING CONVERTS THESE MEASUREMENTS INTO DETAILED 3D IMAGES OF SUBSURFACE ROCK PROPERTIES WITHIN 24 HOURS, FAST ENOUGH TO GUIDE THE NEXT DAY’S FLIGHT PLAN. V6EM ADDRESSES A MAJOR BOTTLENECK IN U.S. MINERAL DEVELOPMENT: CONVENTIONAL GROUND SURVEYS REQUIRE WEEKS OF PERMITTING, VEGETATION CLEARING, AND ELECTRODE INSTALLATION, YET OFTEN PROVIDE ONLY SPARSE COVERAGE WITH SIGNIFICANT UNCERTAINTY. V6EM SURVEYS THE SAME AREA IN DAYS RATHER THAN MONTHS, ACHIEVES MUCH DENSER SPATIAL SAMPLING, AND CAN OPERATE IN TERRAIN DIFFICULT FOR GROUND CREWS, INCLUDING STEEP SLOPES, ACTIVE MINE PERIMETERS, FORESTS, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS. THE SYSTEM WILL BE VALIDATED AT THREE U.S. SITES REPRESENTING KEY CRITICAL MINERAL DEPOSIT TYPES: RARE EARTH CARBONATITES IN WYOMING, ION-ADSORPTION REE CLAYS IN SOUTH CAROLINA, AND COPPER PORPHYRY SYSTEMS IN ARIZONA. AFTER SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATION, DEEP BLUE GEOPHYSICS WILL OFFER V6EM AS A COMMERCIAL SURVEY SERVICE FOR U.S. MINING COMPANIES. ALL HARDWARE MANUFACTURING AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT WILL REMAIN U.S.-BASED, SUPPORTING DOMESTIC CAPABILITY IN ADVANCED EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES.

TRUSTEES OF THE COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES

PROJECT ABSTRACT SUMMARYTHE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS) FEDERALLY OWNED ENERGY AND MINERALS RESEARCH FACILITY (EMRF) IN GOLDEN, CO COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THEUNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS) AND COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES.THE USGS GEOLOGY, GEOPHYSICS, AND GEOCHEMISTRY (G3) AND CENTRAL ENERGY RESOURCES (CER), SCIENCE CENTERS PROVIDE UNIQUE RESEARCH AND OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES IN CRITICAL MINERALS, ENERGY RESOURCE EVALUATION, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL ENERGY AND MINERAL PROGRAM PRIORITIES FOR THE USGS AND DOI.THROUGH THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL), THE USGS WILL VASTLY EXPAND INVESTMENTS IN CRITICAL MINERALS RESEARCH, ADVANCE THE DATA PRESERVATION OF GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL DATA, AND SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW USGS RESEARCH FACILITY TO SUPPORT ENERGY AND MINERALS RESEARCH. THE USGS IS COMMITTED TO INVESTING IN OUR NATION'S INFRASTRUCTURE AND ADVANCING THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CLEAN ENERGY SUPPLY CHAIN. A NEW FACILITY WILL ENABLE COOPERATIVE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND TECHNOLOGICAL COLLABORATION TO MAXIMIZE CONTRIBUTIONS TO BASIC AND APPLIED EARTH SCIENCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF SOLVING NATURAL RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, AND BENEFITTING LOCAL COMMUNITIES, GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF COLORADO AND THE NATION.THE BIL PROVIDES $167 MILLION DIRECTLY TO THE USGS TO SUPPORT THE NEW ENERGY AND MINERALS RESEARCH FACILITY (EMRF). FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A USGS-OWNED FACILITY TO SUPPORT ENERGY AND MINERALS RESEARCH AND APPURTENANT ASSOCIATE STRUCTURES, THROUGH A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH AN ACADEMIC PARTNER. FUNDING IS PLANNED TO BE AVAILABLE IN FY 2022 UNTIL EXPENDED.ADDITIONAL FY 2023 AND FY 2024 FUNDING IS ANTICIPATED BY THE USGS INFRASTRUCTURE FIVE-YEAR PLAN TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT. ADDITIONAL FUNDING AMOUNTS WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE PROGRAM VALIDATION AND SCHEMATIC DESIGN TASK EFFORTS. USGS ENERGY AND MINERALS SCIENCE CAPABILITIES AND SPACE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY.THE U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY INTENDS TO ESTABLISH A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES (MINES) FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FEDERALLY OWNED ENERGY AND MINERALS RESEARCH FACILITY (EMRF) TO BE LOCATED ON LAND OWNED BY MINES. THE NEW LABORATORY AND OFFICE FACILITY WILL SUPPORT USGS AND MINES ENERGY AND MINERAL SCIENCE OPERATIONS.PHASE 1 OF THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WILL FOCUS ON THE PROGRAM VALIDATION AND SCHEMATIC DESIGN ACTIVITIES OF THE PROJECT. PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT, USGS WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY INVOLVED THROUGHOUT PHASE 1 AND THE ENTIRE PROJECT ENSURING FEDERAL BUILDING REQUIREMENTS ARE INTEGRATED IN THE DESIGN AND THE NEW SPACE SUPPORTS USGS SCIENCE IN FURTHERANCE OF PROGRAMMATIC MISSION REQUIREMENTS.THE PROJECT SHALL BE LOCATED ON THE MINES CAMPUS WITH THE NEW FACILITY BEING ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING USGS GEOLOGIC HAZARDS SCIENCE CENTER.

ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

PROJECT TITLE: SEWARD PENINSULA GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYSPROJECT PERIOD: 03 10 2026 TO 03 09 2029 PURPOSETHIS PROJECT BUILDS UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNITED STATES POTENTIAL TO HOST YET-TO-BE-DISCOVEREDDEPOSITS OF CRITICAL MINERAL RESOURCES THROUGH GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYING OF SELECTED AREAS WITH KNOWNPOTENTIAL AND LIMITED AVAILABLE DATA. THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS ONGOING EARTHMAPPING RESOURCES INITIATIVE (EARTH MRI). THE SEWARD PENINSULA GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS PROJECT COVERSMULTIPLE REGIONS OF WESTERN ALASKA.CRITICAL MINERALS ARE MINERAL COMMODITIES THAT ARE BOTH CRITICAL TO THE U.S. ECONOMY AND NATIONALSECURITY AND HAVE A SUPPLY CHAIN VULNERABLE TO DISRUPTION. AS OF 2022, THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY LISTS 50SUCH COMMODITIES. ON THE SEWARD PENINSULA, THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY HAS IDENTIFIED HIGH POTENTIAL FORTIN-TUNGSTEN-TANTALUM-FLUORSPAR, COPPER-COBALT-SILVER-GERMANIUM-GALLIUM, REE-THORIUM-YTTRIUM-NIOBIUMSYSTEMS, AS WELL AS OTHER CRITICAL AND CONVENTIONAL MINERAL RESOURCES.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMEDAIRBORNE MAGNETIC AND RADIOMETRIC DATA WILL BE COLLECTED IN THE SEWARD PENINSULA REGIONS OFALASKA. THE RESULTING HIGH-QUALITY GEOPHYSICAL DATA WILL PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORK FOR ENHANCING FUTUREALASKA DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS AND U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEOLOGICAL MAPPINGAND MINERAL-RESOURCE EVALUATIONS.GEOPHYSICAL DATA ARE ROUTINELY USED IN GEOSCIENCE INVESTIGATIONS TO MAP THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OFAN AREA S GEOLOGIC FEATURES IN 2D AND 3D SPACE, AND TO GUIDE SCIENTIFIC STUDIES, GEOLOGIC MAPPING,MINERAL-RESOURCE EVALUATIONS, AND EXPLORATION EFFORTS. MAGNETIC DATA IS USEFUL FOR DISTINGUISHING VARIOUSMAGNETIC UNITS AND FOR CORRELATING GEOLOGY THROUGH AREAS COVERED BY VEGETATION AND SURFICIAL DEPOSITS.RADIOMETRIC DATA ARE USEFUL FOR DISTINGUISHING IGNEOUS ROCK SUITES WITH VARYING URANIUM, THORIUM, ANDPOTASSIUM CONTENTS, AND DIFFERENTIATING IGNEOUS ROCKS WITH VARYING MINERAL-RESOURCE POTENTIAL.DELIVERABLESDELIVERABLES FROM THIS PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE RAW AND PROCESSED MAGNETIC AND RADIOMETRICGEOPHYSICAL DATA. THIS DATA WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND WILL BE PUBLISHED IN A VARIETY OF DIGITAL DATAFORMATS SUITABLE TO USERS OF ALL LEVELS, ENHANCING DATA UPTAKE AND USABILITY.BENEFICIARIESTHE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROJECT INCLUDE ALL PARTIES WITH AN INTEREST IN MINERAL RESOURCESAND THE BEDROCK GEOLOGY OF ALASKA, INCLUDING STATE AND FEDERAL LAND MANAGERS, MINERAL EXPLORATIONCOMPANIES, ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT (ANCSA) CORPORATIONS, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHERS, AND THEINTERESTED PUBLIC.ANTICIPATED SUBRECIPIENTS OF THIS AWARD WILL BE AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL CONTRACTORS, AVIATION SERVICEPROVIDERS, AND SUPPORTING BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THESE SURVEYS WILL BE BASED OUT OF.

ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

PROJECT TITLE: TIER-II MAGNETIC AND RADIOMETRIC DATA WITHIN THE WESTERN KUSKOKWIM RIVER (WKR) AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL DATA-ACQUISITION REGION FOR THE FFY2023 EARTH MRI PROGRAMPROJECT PERIOD: 07 01 2023 - 06 30 2025PURPOSE: THE RESULTING HIGH-QUALITY GEOPHYSICAL DATA WILL PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORK FOR ENHANCING FUTURE DGGS AND USGS GEOLOGICAL MAPPING AND MINERAL-RESOURCE EVALUATIONS, AND HENCE, UNDERSTANDING OF THE AREA S CRITICAL-MINERAL POTENTIAL AS WELL. MAGNETIC DATA ARE USEFUL FOR DISTINGUISHING VARIOUS MAGNETIC UNITS AND FOR CORRELATING GEOLOGY THROUGH AREAS COVERED BY VEGETATION AND SURFICIAL DEPOSITS. INVERSIONS AND MODELLING OF AVAILABLE MAGNETIC AND ELECTROMAGNETIC DATA ARE USEFUL FOR BUILDING GEOLOGIC-MAP CROSSSECTIONS AND UNDERSTANDING THE 2D AND 3D GEOMETRY OF SUBSURFACE GEOLOGIC BODIES AND STRUCTURES.ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE DGGS WILL BE THE LEAD GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR GEOPHYSICAL-SURVEY CONTRACTING, DESIGN, QA QC, AND PUBLICATION. DGGS WILL WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE USGS ON ALL ASPECTS OF GEOPHYSICAL-SURVEY DESIGN AND LOCATION. DGGS WILL CONTRACT DATA ACQUISITION TO PRE-QUALIFIED GEOPHYSICAL DATA-COLLECTION VENDORS THAT ARE ON OUR MASTER AGREEMENT LIST. INDIVIDUAL GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS WILL BE AWARDED TO ONE OR MORE OF THESE VENDORS USING A COMPETITIVE-BID TASK ORDER SOLICITATION (TOS).DELIVERABLES AND OUTCOMES: WITHIN THREE YEARS OF RECEIPT OF FUNDING, ALL DATA FROM THE WKR AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA THE DGGS WEB SITE IN DIGITAL FORMAT AFTER GOING THROUGH THE DGGS PUBLICATION-REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS. DATA WILL BE PROVIDED IN A VARIETY OF INDUSTRY STANDARD FORMATS WITH CLEAR AND CONCISE METADATA AND README FILES.

ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

PROJECT ABSTRACT SUMMARYPROJECT TITLE: KUSKOKWIM-SEWARD GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYSPROJECT PERIOD: DECEMBER 15, 2024 TO DECEMBER 14, 2027THIS PROJECT BUILDS UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNITED STATES POTENTIAL TO HOST YET-TO-BE-DISCOVERED DEPOSITS OF CRITICAL MINERAL RESOURCES THROUGH GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYING OF SELECTED AREAS WITH KNOWN POTENTIAL AND LIMITED AVAILABLE DATA. THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS ONGOING EARTH MAPPING RESOURCES INITIATIVE (EARTH MRI). THE KUSKOKWIM-SEWARD GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS PROJECT COVERS MULTIPLE REGIONS OF WESTERN ALASKA.CRITICAL MINERALS ARE MINERAL COMMODITIES THAT ARE BOTH CRITICAL TO THE U.S. ECONOMY AND NATIONAL SECURITY AND HAVE A SUPPLY CHAIN VULNERABLE TO DISRUPTION. AS OF 2022, THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY LISTS 50 SUCH COMMODITIES. THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IDENTIFIED THE KUSKOKWIM RIVER REGION OF ALASKA AS PROSPECTIVE FOR RARE-EARTH ELEMENTS (REE), TIN-TUNGSTEN SYSTEMS, PLATINUM GROUP ELEMENTS AS WELL AS OTHER CRITICAL AND NON-CRITICAL MINERAL RESOURCES IN MULTIPLE PERMISSIBLE MINERAL-SYSTEM TYPES. ON THE SEWARD PENINSULA, THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY HAS IDENTIFIED HIGH POTENTIAL FOR TIN-TUNGSTEN-TANTALUM-FLUORSPAR, COPPER-COBALT-SILVER-GERMANIUM-GALLIUM, REE-THORIUM-YTTRIUM-NIOBIUM SYSTEMS, AS WELL AS OTHER CRITICAL AND CONVENTIONAL MINERAL RESOURCES. AIRBORNE MAGNETIC AND RADIOMETRIC DATA WILL BE COLLECTED IN THE KUSKOKWIM RIVER AND SEWARD PENINSULA REGIONS OF ALASKA. THE RESULTING HIGH-QUALITY GEOPHYSICAL DATA WILL PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORK FOR ENHANCING FUTURE ALASKA DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS AND U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEOLOGICAL MAPPING AND MINERAL-RESOURCE EVALUATIONS. GEOPHYSICAL DATA ARE ROUTINELY USED IN GEOSCIENCE INVESTIGATIONS TO MAP THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF AN AREA S GEOLOGIC FEATURES IN 2D AND 3D SPACE, AND TO GUIDE SCIENTIFIC STUDIES, GEOLOGIC MAPPING, MINERAL-RESOURCE EVALUATIONS, AND EXPLORATION EFFORTS. MAGNETIC DATA ARE USEFUL FOR DISTINGUISHING VARIOUS MAGNETIC UNITS AND FOR CORRELATING GEOLOGY THROUGH AREAS COVERED BY VEGETATION AND SURFICIAL DEPOSITS. RADIOMETRIC DATA ARE USEFUL FOR DISTINGUISHING IGNEOUS ROCK SUITES WITH VARYING URANIUM, THORIUM, AND POTASSIUM CONTENTS, AND DIFFERENTIATING IGNEOUS ROCKS WITH VARYING MINERAL-RESOURCE POTENTIAL.DELIVERABLES FROM THIS PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE RAW AND PROCESSED MAGNETIC AND RADIOMETRIC GEOPHYSICAL DATA. THESE DATA WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND WILL BE PUBLISHED IN A VARIETY OF DIGITAL DATA FORMATS SUITABLE TO USERS OF ALL LEVELS, ENHANCING DATA UPTAKE AND USABILITY.THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROJECT INCLUDE ALL PARTIES WITH AN INTEREST IN MINERAL RESOURCES AND THE BEDROCK GEOLOGY OF ALASKA, INCLUDING STATE AND FEDERAL LAND MANAGERS, MINERAL EXPLORATION COMPANIES, ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT (ANCSA) CORPORATIONS, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHERS, AND THE INTERESTED PUBLIC.ANTICIPATED SUBRECIPIENTS OF THIS AWARD WILL BE AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL CONTRACTORS, AVIATION SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND SUPPORTING BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THESE SURVEYS WILL BE BASED OUT OF.