An analysis of the coal-seam gas resource of the Piceance Basin, Colorado

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · J. Pet. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/16418-PA· OSTI ID:6901594

McFall, K S; Wicks, D E; Kelso, B S; Brandenburg, C F

A detailed geologic analysis of the Piceance basin in northwestern Colorado shows that nearly 84 Tcf (2.4 x 10/sup 12/ m/sup 3/) of coal-seam gas is in place in three target coal groups. The Cameo coal group contains the most coalbed methane with 65 Tcf (1.8 x 10/sup 12/ m/sup 3/). The more areally limited Coal Ridge and Black Diamond coal groups contain significantly less gas, 10 and 9 Tcf (280 x 10/sup 9/ and 255 x 10/sup 9/ m/sup 3/), respectively. The areas of highest methane concentration are in the east-central portion of the Piceance basin. These areas coincide with thick deposits of high-rank coal at significant depths and their associated higher gas contents. Also, these areas appear to have been structurally (tectonically) altered, leading to enhanced permeability to gas and water. Thus, the east-central basin area appears favorable for coalbed methane production. This study relied on extensive well data to correlate and map the subsurface extent of the Cretaceous coals of the Piceance basin. Newly derived correlations of coal-rank/depth with gas content were used along with estimates of coal volume to determine gas in place.

• Research Organization: ICF-Lewin Energy (US)
• OSTI ID: 6901594
• Journal Information: J. Pet. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 40:6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
PICEANCE CREEK BASIN
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL SEAMS
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
GAS SATURATION
METHANE
NATURAL GAS
ALKANES
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
HYDROCARBONS
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RESOURCES
SATURATION
030200* - Natural Gas- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
011000 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration