33 Advances in Subsurface Characterization for Energy Exploration and Utilization

Advances in the characterization of the subsurface for applications in both oil and gas, and geothermal energy (conventional, AGS, and EGS), carbon capture and storage (CCS), energy storage, and other low-carbon technologies.

Wednesday, 20 May 2026
8:00 AM - 10:20 AM
Alvarado A

Bridging the Data Gap: New Interactive Tools for Accelerated Energy and Mineral Resource Characterization

Paper number: 33-8
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 10:00 AM – 10:20 AM

Authors

Abstract

The availability of high-quality, centralized data is fundamental to reducing the financial and technical obstacles currently facing the energy and minerals industry. To advance development, the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) has invested in upgrading its digital infrastructure, transforming fragmented, multi-source geological datasets into centralized, high-performance interactive web applications. This initiative addresses the critical barrier of data inconsistency across state and private sectors, providing "pre-competitive" data essential for reducing financial and technical risks in subsurface exploration. By integrating standardized datasets ranging from traditional lithology to modern machine learning-ready formats, these portals enable seamless cross-boundary mapping and sophisticated subsurface characterization.

Part of this new development is the Carbon Storage Portal, which consolidates over 20 years of research and geologic data to support subsurface exploration and Geologic Carbon Storage (GCS). This tool provides stakeholders with comprehensive and publicly available subsurface data (i.e., wells, porosity, permeability, and salinity) alongside infrastructure layers (i.e., CO2 sources, pipelines, and sensitive land-use areas). Users can perform complex searches of the statewide wells database and utilize core and cutting data to identify viable reservoirs and seals for GCS. New regional and statewide carbon storage studies are provided which display areas for prospective CO2 storage and highlight the usefulness of subsurface data for wide-ranging exploration of Utah’s subsurface landscape

Complementing this, the Geothermal and Geophysical Data Portal accelerates resource identification for all types of geothermal resources from direct use to conventional hydrothermal to Enhanced Geothermal Systems. Funded by Utah’s Operation Gigawatt initiative, the portal aggregates geophysical (i.e., gravity, magnetic, electromagnetic, etc.) and geothermal data (i.e., wells, springs, heat flow, etc.). This data portal aims to support informed decision-making, encourage resource characterization and development, and facilitate both current and future research initiatives to map structural architecture. The application outlines high-probability zones for geothermal development from past and ongoing data syntheses. Collectively, these applications provide the rigorous technical framework necessary to advance geothermal energy, CCS, and low-carbon technologies through accessible, high-fidelity subsurface intelligence.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026RM-410709

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