Powder River Basin coalbed methane: The USGS role in investigating this ultimate clean coal by-product
For the past few decades, the Fort Union Formation in the Powder River Basin has supplied the Nation with comparatively clean low ash and low sulfur coal. However, within the past few years, coalbed methane from the same Fort Union coal has become an important energy by-product. The recently completed US Geological Survey coal resource assessment of the Fort Union coal beds and zones in the northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains (Fort Union Coal Assessment Team, 1999) has added useful information to coalbed methane exploration and development in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana. Coalbed methane exploration and development in the Powder River Basin has rapidly accelerated in the past three years. During this time more than 800 wells have been drilled and recent operator forecasts projected more than 5,000 additional wells to be drilled over the next few years. Development of shallow (less than 1,000 ft. deep) Fort Union coal-bed methane is confined to Campbell and Sheridan Counties, Wyoming, and Big Horn County, Montana. The purpose of this paper is to report on the US Geological Survey's role on a cooperative coalbed methane project with the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Wyoming Reservoir Management Group and several gas operators. This paper will also discuss the methodology that the USGS and the BLM will be utilizing for analysis and evaluation of coalbed methane reservoirs in the Powder River Basin. The USGS and BLM need additional information of coalbed methane reservoirs to accomplish their respective resource evaluation and management missions.
- Research Organization:
- Geological Survey, Denver, CO (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20034371
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 25th International Technical Conference on Coal Utilization and Fuel Systems, Clearwater, FL (US), 03/06/2000--03/09/2000; Other Information: PBD: 2000; Related Information: In: 25th international technical conference on coal utilization and fuel systems: Proceedings, by Sakkestad, B.A. [ed.], 969 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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