Unconventional natural-gas resources: research seeks to verify the promise

Journal Article · Mon Mar 19 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Energy Res. Rep.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6215543

Doucette, D B

Natural gas trapped in underground reservoirs of tight (low permeability) gas sands, geopressured aquifers, coal seams and Devonian-Age shales could dwarf the 208 trillion cubic feet known for conventional gas reserves. Estimates of the potential recoverable reserves vary enormously. Reliable estimates will be developed through the enhanced natural-gas recovery program. Development of unconventional gas sources depends on three factors - resource verification, improved technology, and demonstrated economics. The Department of Energy is funding various cost-sharing studies to verify the size of tight-sand reservoirs, devise field tests, and develop diagnostic tools to predict production rates. A DOE/industry effort is underway to utilize methane vented from a Pennsylvania coal mine. Geopressured aquifers may yield the greatest resources of dissolved natural gas and thus could be important sources of gas as well as of hydraulic and thermal energy.

• OSTI ID: 6215543
• Journal Information: Energy Res. Rep.; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Res. Rep.; (United States) Vol. 5:6; ISSN ERRED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030100* -- Natural Gas-- Reserves-- (-1989)
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
030900 -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294003 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Natural Gas
ALKANES
AQUIFERS
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL SEAMS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
EVALUATION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC TRAPS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GEOPRESSURED SYSTEMS
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRY
METHANE
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RESERVES
RESOURCES
SHALE GAS