Geologic assessment of natural gas from coal seams in the Warrior Basin, Alabama. Topical report, September 1985-September 1986

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6105493

McFall, K S; Wicks, D E; Kuuskraa, V A

This study provides a detailed geologic assessment of the coal deposits in the Warrior Basin area that have high potential for natural gas from coal seams. The estimate of the natural gas in place in the four major coal groups is 19.8 trillion cubic feet. Although the bulk of the gas in place is in the deeper areally extensive Black Creek and Mary Lee coal groups, the more shallow Pratt coal group also shows good potential for coal seam gas. The most concentrated areas of methane in place are in the eastern portion of the Warrior Basin. These areas coincide with thick accumulations of high rank coals and their associated higher gas contents. These areas also appear to have been structurally altered, leading to enhanced permeability to gas and water. Thus, the eastern portions of the basin appear more favorable for coalbed methane production due to high gas contents, attractive coal thicknesses, closely-spaced coal cleats and joints, and moderate depths to the coal horizons.

• Research Organization: Lewin and Associates, Inc., Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6105493
• Report Number(s): PB-87-224812/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010500 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Products & By-Products
03 NATURAL GAS
030100* -- Natural Gas-- Reserves-- (-1989)
ALABAMA
ALKANES
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL SEAMS
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION IV
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
HYDROCARBONS
METHANE
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RECOVERY
RESERVES
RESOURCES
USA