Introduction to unconventional petroleum systems

Ben Law is a consultant and sole proprietor of Pangea Hydrocarbon Exploration LLC. His research interests include basin-centered gas and coalbed methane systems. Prior to his consulting position, he was a member and chief of the U.S. Geological Survey Western Tight Gas Sand Project and regional coordinator of South Asia for the U.S. Geological Survey World Energy Project. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees from San Diego State University, California.John B. Curtis is associate professor and director, Petroleum Exploration and Production Center/Potential Gas Agency at the Colorado School of Mines. He is an associate editor for the AAPG Bulletin and The Mountain Geologist. As director of the Potential Gas Agency, he works with a team of 145 geologists, geophysicists, and petroleum engineers in their biennial assessment of remaining United States natural gas resources. The collection of articles included in this theme issue of the AAPG Bulletin originated in the AAPG …