Production potential for coalbed methane in US basins

Conference · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6288454

Byrer, C W; Covatch, G L; Morz, T H

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has promoted widespread commercial use of coalbed methane through the Coalbed Methane Project. To date, the major emphasis has been directed toward locating and estimating the magnitude of the resource, estimating the recoverable reserves, developing economical recovery systems and techniques, and demonstrating utilization in an appropriate manner. Preliminary results of the coalbed methane resource effort show that many of the coal regions in the United States have significant volumes of coalbed methane. The initial methane resource estimates for 16 basins show that the greatest potential is in the Piceance, Northern Appalachian, Central Appalachian, Powder River, and Greater Green River. Small, high potential target areas have been selected for an in-depth analysis of the resource. At the present time, industry is showing the greatest interest and activity in the Warrior, San Juan, Piceance, and Northern Appalachian Basins. The relationship between industry activity and the high potential target areas in four of the coal basins is presented in this report. Production curves for several coalbed methane wells in these basins are presented for comparison. The number of minable seams, coal reserves, coal rank, depth and methane gas content are the parameters listed for each of these four basins. Recommendations are also suggested for developing the coalbed methane resource in the remaining basins.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Energy
• OSTI ID: 6288454
• Report Number(s): CONF-8405120-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE/DOE/GRI 12832
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
011000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290400 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
ALKANES
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL RANK
COAL RESERVES
COAL SEAMS
COMMERCIALIZATION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DEGASSING
DEPTH
DIAGRAMS
DIMENSIONS
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRY
METHANE
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PRODUCTION
QUANTITY RATIO
RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOVERY
RESERVES
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA