Bituminous sandstone deposits, Asphalt Ridge, Uinta County, Utah

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1966 · Utah, Geol. Mineral. Surv., Spec. Stud.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6490216

Kayser, R B

Asphalt Ridge probably is the second largest bituminous sandstone deposit in NE. Utah's Uinta basin. Discontinuous concentrations of bitumen occur in the Rim Rock Sandstone of the Mesaverde Group of Cretaceous age, in the overlying Uinta Formation of Eocene age and the Duchesne River Formation of Oligocene age. Because the bituminous layers dip SW. -ward under prohibitively deep cover, only a small part of the sandstone can be mined by open pit methods. However, the Asphalt Ridge deposits are well suited to thermal recovery techniques. The thick, uniform sands of the Mesaverde Group are the best targets for such methods. It is estimated the bituminous sands in the Mesaverde contain reserves of oil totaling nearly 700 million bbl. The recovery factor probably would be between 50 and 70%; so total recoverable reserves in the Mesaverde should be at least 350 million bbl of oil. (28 refs.)

• Research Organization: Bear Creek Mining Co
• OSTI ID: 6490216
• Journal Information: Utah, Geol. Mineral. Surv., Spec. Stud.; (United States), Journal Name: Utah, Geol. Mineral. Surv., Spec. Stud.; (United States) Vol. 19; ISSN UGMSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040201* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Site Geology-- (-1989)
ASPHALT RIDGE DEPOSIT
ASPHALTS
BITUMENS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SAND DEPOSITS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RECOVERY
RESOURCES
ROCKS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
TAR
THERMAL RECOVERY
USA
UTAH
WELLS