Probability of encountering coalbed discontinuities during vertical and horizontal borehole drilling. Report of investigations/1982

Technical Report · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6517388

Houseknecht, D W

Probabilities of encountering coalbed discontinuities during vertical or horizontal drilling in a specific coalbed can be estimated based on analysis of mined-out areas of the coalbed where the size, shape, orientation, and distribution of discontinuities are known. The resultant probability estimates can be applied to cost-risk evaluations of drilling programs proposed for exploratory, developmental, or methane drainage purposes in undeveloped areas of that coalbed. Data compiled from mine maps of the Beckley Coalbed in southern West Virginia were used to estimate the probabilities that discontinuities would be encountered in two illustrative hypothetical drilling programs--one for drilling vertical boreholes and the other for drilling horizontal boreholes.

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA (USA). Pittsburgh Research Center
• OSTI ID: 6517388
• Report Number(s): PB-82-232091
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL MINES
COAL MINING
COAL SEAMS
DEGASSING
FEDERAL REGION III
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
PROBABILITY
RESOURCES
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
USA
WEST VIRGINIA