GRI's research program on unconventional natural gas

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Chem. Eng. Prog.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5698117

Sharer, J C; O'Shea, P

Unconventional natural gas refers to gas contained in geologic formations that have not been exploited traditionally by the oil and gas industry. These formations are characterized by low permeability and porosity, a general lack of natural fractures, or large quantities of saline water found along with the gas. A number of these geologic formations are known to contain sizable quantities of natural gas, but they are not being fully developed due to technical and economic limitations. With appropriate research and development, these resources can be exploited in the near term with continued commercial production in the midterm and long term. Unconventional natural gas will come from a variety of geographic areas and geologic formations that most commonly include: tight sand formations in the eastern and western United States; Devonian shale formations in the eastern United States; unminable coal deposits in both the eastern and western United States; watered-out gas reservoirs predominantly along the Gulf of Mexico. GRIS (Gas Research Institute) natural gas supply research has focused on the development of technology for the recovery of natural gas from unconventional geologic formations at costs that are competitive with conventional natural gas recovery. Through 1985, research has been directed toward lowering the cost of recovering natural gas from tight sands, Devonian shales, coal seams, and watered-out gas wells, in which coproduction of gas and water is required. GRI is currently spending about $20 million per year on the development of technologies in this area. The pursuit of natural gas supply research is particularly appropriate to GRI because much of the nonassociated gas exploration and production in the United States is conducted by independent producers and gas industry production affiliates, whose size generally precludes independent pursuit of high-risk concepts.

• Research Organization: Gas Res. Inst., Chicago, IL
• OSTI ID: 5698117
• Journal Information: Chem. Eng. Prog.; (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Eng. Prog.; (United States) Vol. 82:2; ISSN CEPRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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