Observation of induced fractures intercepted by mining in the Warrior Basin, Alabama. Topical report. Rock Creek methane from multiple coal seams completion project

Technical Report · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5594840

Steidl, P F

This report summarizes research and inspection of induced fractures that have been intercepted by mining. Induced fractures from 13 wells intercepted by mining were inspected at the Jim Walter Resources' (JWR) No. 4 and 5 Mines in Tuscaloosa County, and the Oak Grove Mine in Jefferson County, Alabama. In this area the Mary Lee and Blue Creek coalbeds average 1.3 ft and 4 to 5.5 ft, respectively at depths of about 2,000 ft at the JWR mines and 1,000 ft in the Oak Grove Mine. These seams are usually separated by 2 to 10 ft of rock parting. The wells were completed open hole from 1982 to 1986. Hydraulic fracture treatments were used to stimulate production. Some expected results include: in general, the fractures followed the coal face cleat direction; they were vertical, and were sandpacked close to the wall. Other observations include the following: (1) most of the fractures and proppant were present in the parting and roof rock, (2) results were similar in the JWR and Oak Grove Mines even though there is 1,000 ft less overburden at the Oake Grove Mine, and (3) no horizontal fractures were observed in the study; though other stimulations have propagated horizontal fractures at Oak Grove.

• Research Organization: Taurus Exploration, Inc., Birmingham, AL (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5594840
• Report Number(s): PB-92-164334/XAB; CNN: GRI-5087-214-1457
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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Lignite
& Peat-- Underground Mining-- Mine Environment-- (1987-)
03 NATURAL GAS
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ALABAMA
ALKANES
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL MINING
COAL SEAMS
DEGASSING
DEPTH
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DIMENSIONS
ENGINEERING
FAILURES
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
FRACTURES
FRACTURING
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURES
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
HYDROCARBONS
INSPECTION
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS RECOVERY
METHANE
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINING
MINING ENGINEERING
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORIENTATION
PROCESSING
PROPPING AGENTS
RECOVERY
RESOURCES
STIMULATION
UNDERGROUND MINING
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS