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U.S. Department of Energy
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Tar sands as a mineral. [Kentucky]

Conference · · Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5630245
Tar sands in western Kentucky have been recognized as a potentially significant mineral resource since the middle of the 19th century. Deposits of bitumen-bearing late Mississippian and early Pennsylvanian sandstones are present both in surface exposures and in the subsurface. These occurrences are the largest known deposits of bitumen-bearing sandstones east of the Mississippi River. Published estimates of reserves of western Kentucky tar sands deposits indicate more than 500 million tons of shallow mineable tar sands with an average equivalent bitumen content of 10-15 gallons per ton. The deeper deposits not previously estimated may represent a very large resource. The results are reported for the Kentucky Geological Survey preliminary subsurface study of selected geologic parameters and reported occurrences of heavy oil in the Big Clify Sandstone Member of the Golconda Formation. The historical and recent exploratory and developmental activities are briefly reviewed and the projects currently underway are described. Those projects include an operational 500 barrel per day pilot plant which uses a solvent extraction process and two projects which employ in-situ recovery.
Research Organization:
Kentucky Department of Energy
OSTI ID:
5630245
Report Number(s):
CONF-820814-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States) Journal Volume: 2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English