Tar sand resources of western Kentucky

Conference · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Proceedings, Eastern Oil Shale Symposium; (United States)

OSTI ID:6013354

Noger, M C

Tar-sand deposits 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 have been reported both at the surface and in the subsurface for a distance of approximately 100 miles along the southeastern rim of the Eastern Interior Basin. Prior to 1981, published studies of western Kentucky tar-sand deposits had concentrated on the outcrop areas where bitumen-bearing sandstones were present at or near the surface. In-place oil resources were estimated at less than 50 million barrels. In 1981 the Kentucky Geological Survey initiated a project to inventory and evaluate the oil-resource potential of the asphaltic sandstones in the subsurface of western Kentucky. In 1982 this project was combined with the Interstate Oil Compact Commission's project to catalog and evaluate the tar-sand-resource potential of the US. Results of investigations have confirmed that major tar-sand resources are present in western Kentucky. In-place resources are calculated to be in excess of 3 billion barrels.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington
• OSTI ID: 6013354
• Report Number(s): CONF-8411130-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Proceedings, Eastern Oil Shale Symposium; (United States) Journal Volume: IMMR84/124
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040100* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Reserves & Exploration-- (-1989)
BITUMENS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPLORATION
FEDERAL REGION IV
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
KENTUCKY
MATERIALS
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SAND DEPOSITS
OIL SANDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RESERVES
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
TAR
USA