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Title: Methane in Columbia River Basalt Aquifers: Isotopic and geohydrologic evidence for a deep coal-bed gas source in the Columbia Basin, Washington

Abstract

Methane occurs as a dissolved constituent in groundwater from confined aquifers in the Columbia River Basalt Group, Columbia basin, Washington. Isotopic compositions of methane in groundwater indicate that the methane is a mixture of biogenic ([sigma][sup 13]C-CH[sub 4] to -88% and [sigma][sup 2]H-CH[sub 4] to -265%) and thermogenic ([sigma][sup 13]C-CH[sub 4] to -35%, and [sigma][sup 2]H-CH[sub 4] to -134%) components. Chemical and isotopic data are consistent with entrainment of deep, coal-bed generated methane in upwelling groundwater from below the Columbia River Basalt Group (>4 km) that mixes with near-surface groundwater. The areal distribution pattern of methane suggests that fault intersections are necessary for vertical migration of deep methane through the basalt. This study suggests that deep subbasalt coal-bed methane in the Columbia basin has infiltrated the shallow basalt groundwater system, and isotopic analysis of methane in groundwater from structurally favorable locations can be used to identify potential exploration targets. The wide areal distribution of methane in this large, relatively unexplored frontier province suggests economic gas reserves. 53 refs., 11 figs.

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Westinghouse Geosciences, Richland, WA (United States)
  2. SEACOR, Tualitin, OR (United States)
  3. Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6060826
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 77:7; Journal ID: ISSN 0149-1423
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
03 NATURAL GAS; METHANE; DISTRIBUTION; NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS; EXPLORATION; WASHINGTON; RESOURCE POTENTIAL; AQUIFERS; BASALT; COAL SEAMS; COLUMBIA RIVER; GROUND WATER; HYDROLOGY; SEDIMENTARY BASINS; SOURCE ROCKS; UPWELLING; ALKANES; COAL DEPOSITS; DEVELOPED COUNTRIES; GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS; GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES; HYDROCARBONS; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; IGNEOUS ROCKS; MINERAL RESOURCES; NORTH AMERICA; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; RESOURCES; RIVERS; ROCKS; STREAMS; SURFACE WATERS; USA; VOLCANIC ROCKS; WATER; 030200* - Natural Gas- Reserves, Geology, & Exploration

Citation Formats

Johnson, V G, Graham, D L, and Reidel, S P. Methane in Columbia River Basalt Aquifers: Isotopic and geohydrologic evidence for a deep coal-bed gas source in the Columbia Basin, Washington. United States: N. p., 1993. Web.
Johnson, V G, Graham, D L, & Reidel, S P. Methane in Columbia River Basalt Aquifers: Isotopic and geohydrologic evidence for a deep coal-bed gas source in the Columbia Basin, Washington. United States.
Johnson, V G, Graham, D L, and Reidel, S P. 1993. "Methane in Columbia River Basalt Aquifers: Isotopic and geohydrologic evidence for a deep coal-bed gas source in the Columbia Basin, Washington". United States.
@article{osti_6060826,
title = {Methane in Columbia River Basalt Aquifers: Isotopic and geohydrologic evidence for a deep coal-bed gas source in the Columbia Basin, Washington},
author = {Johnson, V G and Graham, D L and Reidel, S P},
abstractNote = {Methane occurs as a dissolved constituent in groundwater from confined aquifers in the Columbia River Basalt Group, Columbia basin, Washington. Isotopic compositions of methane in groundwater indicate that the methane is a mixture of biogenic ([sigma][sup 13]C-CH[sub 4] to -88% and [sigma][sup 2]H-CH[sub 4] to -265%) and thermogenic ([sigma][sup 13]C-CH[sub 4] to -35%, and [sigma][sup 2]H-CH[sub 4] to -134%) components. Chemical and isotopic data are consistent with entrainment of deep, coal-bed generated methane in upwelling groundwater from below the Columbia River Basalt Group (>4 km) that mixes with near-surface groundwater. The areal distribution pattern of methane suggests that fault intersections are necessary for vertical migration of deep methane through the basalt. This study suggests that deep subbasalt coal-bed methane in the Columbia basin has infiltrated the shallow basalt groundwater system, and isotopic analysis of methane in groundwater from structurally favorable locations can be used to identify potential exploration targets. The wide areal distribution of methane in this large, relatively unexplored frontier province suggests economic gas reserves. 53 refs., 11 figs.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6060826}, journal = {AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)},
issn = {0149-1423},
number = ,
volume = 77:7,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993},
month = {Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993}
}