Kansas Geological Survey

What Kansas Geological Survey does

The Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) is a nonregulatory research and service division of the University of Kansas, established in 1889 and headquartered in Lawrence, Kansas, with 106 employees. KGS studies and disseminates information about Kansas geologic resources and hazards, with core programs spanning water resources and geohydrology, energy (oil and gas, carbon storage), geophysics and earthquake monitoring, geology and mineral resources, and geoarchaeology. Its core product portfolio is built around authoritative databases and interactive mapping tools — the Oil and Gas Wells Database (continuous since 1901), the WWC5 Water Wells Database, WIZARD groundwater level monitoring, WIMAS water rights management, and GIS-based interactive mappers — alongside physical repositories including the Drill Core Library and Kansas Geologic Sample Repository. KGS additionally offers proprietary analytical tools such as the PfEFFER Pro Excel add-in for petrophysical log analysis and the LAS File Viewer for well log visualization, and conducts airborne electromagnetic surveys using helicopter-mounted hexagonal frame equipment to map aquifer conditions to depths of 1,600 feet.

KGS operates as a public research institution funded primarily through state appropriations, federal grants, and minimal service fees. The dominant go-to-market model is direct-to-consumer public access: nearly all databases, maps, and educational resources are freely available through the kgs.ku.edu website, serving hundreds of industry, research, and public users daily. Commercial revenue is limited to publications, bulletins, maps, and the PfEFFER Pro software sold at $350 per perpetual license. Key customer segments include the Kansas oil and gas industry (primary), water resource managers and state agencies (primary), K-12 educators and students, academic researchers, and the general public. Strategic partnerships include the Kansas Corporation Commission and Kansas Department of Revenue for regulated data access, Kansas Water Office for AEM survey funding, the Stockholm Resilience Centre and Beijer Institute for international research collaboration, and the state's five Groundwater Management Districts for aquifer assessment work.

Name

Kansas Geological Survey

Legal name

Kansas Geological Survey

Website

https://kgs.ku.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Kansas Geological Survey is a nonregulatory research division of the University of Kansas that maintains authoritative public databases and mapping tools on Kansas geology, oil and gas wells, groundwater, and earthquakes, serving industry, government, researchers, educators, and the public at no cost.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geological Survey and Geoscience Research Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Support Activities for Mining (2131)

SIC

Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389)

akta.pro primary industry

Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Seismic & Geoscience Services (Acquisition, Processing, Interpretation) (EUALABAK), Wellhead Protection & Source Water Protection Studies (EUAHAFAK)

Keywords

• Geological survey research
• Groundwater monitoring services
• Oil and gas well data
• Water well databases
• Geologic mapping services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lawrence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Data Services: KGS operates as a nonregulatory research and service division of the University of Kansas, funded primarily through state appropriations, federal grants, and service fees. The organization provides free public access to most databases and information while selling publications, reports, and specialized software like PfEFFER Pro.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Kansas Geological Survey studies and provides public information about Kansas's geologic resources and hazards, operating comprehensive databases and interactive mapping tools for oil and gas wells, water wells, water rights, and water quality. KGS maintains physical drill core and geologic sample repositories, publishes geological bulletins and reports, sells specialized petrophysical analysis software (PfEFFER Pro, LAS File Viewer), and runs K-12 educational programs including GeoKansas and the OGALLALA groundwater game.

Product overview

The Kansas Geological Survey operates as a multi-disciplinary data platform providing research programs and public data services focused on water resources, energy (oil and gas), geology, geophysics, and geoarchaeology. The core product portfolio centers on comprehensive databases and interactive mapping tools for oil and gas wells (including horizontal wells), water wells (WWC5), water well levels (WIZARD), water rights (WIMAS), and water quality. Supporting services include the Drill Core Library, Kansas Geologic Sample Repository, GeoKansas educational resources, the OGALLALA groundwater game, and publications. Advanced analytical tools include the LAS File Viewer for well log visualization and PfEFFER Excel add-in for petrophysical analysis. Recent developments include updated oil and gas database technology launched in 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Oil and Gas Wells Database Comprehensive searchable database of oil and gas wells in Kansas containing location, owner, depth information, production data, wireline logs, core, and cuttings, allowing users to view and download public information related to Kansas oil and gas wells. Built on Oracle RDBMS with a web-based query interface and updated continuously from Kansas Corporation Commission records since 1901.
• Oil and Gas Interactive Mapper Updated web-based mapping tool for viewing all available public information related to oil and gas wells in Kansas, including fields, aerial imagery, and detailed well records, with tabbed organization and secondary search refinement for users.
• Water Quality Mapper (Beta) Interactive web-based mapping tool for exploring water quality data across Kansas aquifers, providing visualization of groundwater quality information.
• WWC5 Water Wells Database Comprehensive database of water wells in Kansas, including location, construction details, and water level information, accessible via a searchable database and the WWC5 Interactive Mapper.
• WIZARD Water Well Levels Interactive tool for monitoring and analyzing groundwater levels in Kansas water wells, providing water-level measurement tracking across the state.
• WIMAS Water Rights Database Database system for tracking and managing water rights information across Kansas, supporting water-use planning and compliance.
• Horizontal/Slant Wells Database Specialized database with mapper for viewing horizontal and slant wells in Kansas, containing 1,179 records of directional drilling wells.
• Drill Core Library Physical repository of drill core samples from Kansas available for inspection, research sampling, and educational use by industry, academics, and students.
• Kansas Geologic Sample Repository Archive of geologic samples collected from across Kansas, available for research, analysis, and academic study.
• KGS Publications Catalog of books, bulletins, technical series, educational series, public information circulars, and open-file reports on Kansas geology, minerals, and natural resources, available for purchase through the Publications Sales office.
• GIS Data Hub Online portal for accessing and downloading GIS data and maps published by the Kansas Geological Survey, hosted on ArcGIS Hub.
• PfEFFER Pro (Petrofacies Evaluation of Formations for Engineering Reservoirs) Commercial Excel add-in providing real-time, interactive log analysis tools for petrophysical evaluation including porosity calculation, water saturation analysis, lithology solution, capillary pressure analysis, flow unit identification, and reservoir simulation input generation. Pro version adds mapping and reservoir simulation features. Sold via mail order at $350 plus $7 shipping as a perpetual license.
• LAS File Viewer Java-applet web application for viewing, plotting, and analyzing well data, rock measurements, observational data, and formation tops data by depth.
• GeoKansas Educational platform featuring information about Kansas geology, geologic sites, and classroom activities for K-12 teachers, students, and the general public.
• OGALLALA: The Groundwater Game Interactive educational game designed to teach groundwater management and conservation concepts, focused on the Ogallala aquifer and Kansas water resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• Airborne electromagnetic surveys covered 2,500 miles of Northwest Kansas GMD 4 in 2024 and 2,900 miles of Western Kansas GMD 1 in 2025
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District (GMD 3)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2026KGS is working with GMD 3 to conduct airborne electromagnetic surveys of the Ogallala aquifer. The project aims to map groundwater conditions to depths of 1,600 feet and develop strategies for sustainable aquifer management. GMD 3 manages water use in parts of Hamilton, Kearny, Finney, Gray, Ford, Stanton, Grant, Haskell, Morton, Stevens, Seward, and Meade counties.
• Aqua Geo Frameworks LLCcoreTechnology or Integration · 11 May 2026Contracted to conduct airborne electromagnetic surveys using helicopter-mounted hexagonal frame equipment for aquifer mapping in southwest Kansas. Based in Fort Laramie, Wyoming.
• Kansas Water OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2026Provides funding support for airborne electromagnetic survey projects of the Ogallala aquifer through the Governor's Office and Kansas Legislature.
• Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026Collaborating with KGS scientist Sam Zipper on research into High Plains aquifer sustainability. Will host Zipper as Fulbright Scholar during fall 2026 semester. Focus on connections between economic incentives, land use change, agricultural production, and water flows.
• Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics at Royal Swedish Academy of SciencesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026Partnering with KGS scientist Sam Zipper on High Plains aquifer research. Researcher Anne-Schecrépin specializes in interactions between society and nature, bringing economic perspective to water resource studies.
• Kansas Corporation CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKGS works with the Kansas Corporation Commission to maintain accurate listings of oil and gas wells. The Commission has regulatory duties while KGS maintains the listing for research purposes and public use.
• Kansas Department of RevenuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKGS receives monthly production data from the Kansas Department of Revenue for oil and gas lease production records. This data is incorporated into the production databases maintained by KGS.
• Kansas Geological SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kansas Nomenclature Committee, headed by John Morrison of the Independent Oil and Gas Service, Wichita, names oil and gas fields. KGS works to verify field names on completion forms. The Walters Digital Library provides access to some historical records.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Oklahoma Geological Survey: State-level geological survey at the University of Oklahoma providing oil and gas well databases, groundwater monitoring, and geologic mapping for Oklahoma — the closest functional and structural peer to KGS, with overlapping Midcontinent geoscience mandate and state-funded research model.
• Iowa Geological Survey: University of Iowa-affiliated state geological survey covering Iowa's portion of the same aquifers KGS studies, including the High Plains/Ogallala system. Highly comparable as a state-funded geological research unit focused on water resources, energy, and geologic mapping.
• Missouri Geological Survey: State geological survey program providing oil and gas well records, groundwater data, and geologic mapping for Missouri — a small-to-mid-size state-survey peer with comparable functions and budget scale to KGS.
• Bureau of Economic Geology (University of Texas at Austin): Texas state geological research unit with comparable functions — oil and gas resource studies, groundwater research, carbon storage, and geophysical surveys — but at substantially larger scale and budget, making it the largest state-survey analogue to KGS.
• Colorado Geological Survey: State geological survey providing geologic mapping, groundwater, energy, and hazard information for Colorado — structurally and functionally analogous to KGS as a state agency delivering geological and water data services.
• Illinois State Geological Survey: Survey at the University of Illinois that maintains oil and gas well records, groundwater databases, geologic mapping, and sample repositories for Illinois — directly parallel to KGS's portfolio and funding structure as a state research service unit.
• Nebraska Conservation and Survey Division: University of Nebraska geological survey covering Nebraska's portion of the High Plains aquifer, sharing the same Ogallala-focused groundwater research mandate as KGS and operating with a comparable state-funded academic model.

Others

• TGS: Global geophysical data library and seismic services company — adjacent rather than directly comparable, but overlapping with KGS's seismic/geophysical survey work in oil and gas exploration and subsurface characterization.

Broad incumbents

• United States Geological Survey (USGS): Federal geological survey that broadly overlaps with KGS's mission — oil and gas resource assessments, national groundwater monitoring, geologic mapping, and hazards — but at national scale, making it the overarching incumbent against which state surveys like KGS are benchmarked.
• Enverus: Commercial oil and gas data and analytics platform offering well-level production, completions, and subsurface data across the U.S. — comparable because it serves the same Kansas operator and consultant audience that relies on KGS, but as a for-profit, multi-state offering rather than a state-funded public service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtUGwJRKz3-z69GoJJpQ7ng
• Facebookfacebook.com/KansasGeologicalSurvey
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kansas-geological-survey
• Instagraminstagram.com/ksgeology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Kansas Geological Survey