USGS Assesses Over 340 Tcf of Recoverable Gas in Bossier Formation
New resource assessment highlights major gas potential in a neighboring basin, drawing industry attention.
The U.S. Geological Survey has assessed the Bossier Formation, a major gas play in the onshore Gulf Coast basin, to contain more than 340 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas resources. The assessment was reported by Rigzone on May 8, 2026.
"We have assessed there are significant undiscovered resources in the Bossier Formation," USGS Director Ned Mamula said, according to the report. The 340+ Tcf figure represents a substantial volume of technically recoverable natural gas.
For Bakken operators and observers, major resource assessments in other U.S. basins serve as a reminder of the competitive landscape for capital and drilling activity. The Bakken formation in North Dakota is primarily a liquids-rich oil play, though it also produces significant associated natural gas.
Large-scale gas assessments like the one for the Bossier can influence broader market dynamics and long-term investment strategies across the Lower 48. While the Bossier is geographically distant from the Williston Basin, it represents another major domestic resource competing for infrastructure development and market share.
The USGS assessment underscores the continued importance of onshore U.S. resource potential. Such evaluations provide critical data for policymakers, land managers, and the energy industry regarding the nation's long-term hydrocarbon inventory.
The Bakken's development continues to focus on optimizing oil recovery, but the play also faces its own challenges and opportunities related to gas capture, flaring regulations, and the expansion of gas processing capacity. Announcements of large resources in other regions can indirectly affect the economic calculus for Bakken gas projects.
Source
Rigzone
