Evaluation of coalbed methane resource in western United States
Of the new or unconventional fossil energy resources studied in recent years with federal, state, or industry funding, the recovery of methane from coalbeds is the one resource with the greatest probable near-term commercial potential. Well completion records and production data indicate that much, if not most, of the gas currently produced from the Fruitland Formation of the San Juan basin, for example, has its origin in or from coalbeds. All of the intermontane sedimentary basins of the Rocky Mountain region underlain by coal deposits, also contain methane that is genetically associated with those coals. Discussed will be individual characteristics of some of these basins that bear on methane formation and accumulation in each basin, techniques for estimating methane resources and defining target areas for exploration, amounts of gas contained in the basins, and identification of some completion and production problems. Basins specifically discussed will include Piceance, San Juan, Raton, and Powder River.
- Research Organization:
- TRW Energy Development Group, Lakewood, CO
- OSTI ID:
- 6639691
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8405216-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Vol. 68:4; Conference: AAPG annual convention, San Antonio, TX, USA, 20 May 1984
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Coalbed methane potential of the Greater Green River, Piceance, Powder River, and Raton Basins. Topical report, January 1991-July 1991
Quarterly Review of Methane from Coal-Seams Technology. Volume 9, Number 1, November 1991
Related Subjects
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
COAL SEAMS
DEGASSING
METHANE
RECOVERY
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
ALKANES
COAL DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
HYDROCARBONS
MINERAL RESOURCES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RESOURCES
030300* - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing
012000 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Mining