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Correlation of producing Fruitland Formation coals within the western outcrop and coalbed methane leakage on the Southern Ute Reservation

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/757842· OSTI ID:757842
The Colorado Geological Survey and Southern Ute Indian Tribe proposed to determine the cause of several gas seeps which are occurring on the western outcrop of the coalbed methane producing Fruitland Formation on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. Correlation between outcrop coals and subsurface coals was necessary to determine seep source in the northern part of the study area. Subsurface studies include structure and net coal isopach maps, stratigraphy was cross-sections, production maps, and a production database. Detailed coal stratigraphy was correlated through production wells near the outcrop region. These maps and cross-sections were correlated to new surface outcrop maps generated by the Colorado, Geological Survey and the Southern Ute Division of Energy Resources. Methane gas seepage has been noted historically within the study area. The total investigation may help determine if gas seepage is natural, a result of coalbed methane development, or some combination of the above.
Research Organization:
National Petroleum Technology Office, Tulsa, OK (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE) (US)
DOE Contract Number:
FG26-97BC14943
OSTI ID:
757842
Report Number(s):
DOE/BC/14943-1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English