Resource Assessment & Production Testing for Coal Bed Methane in the Illinois Basin

Technical Report · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/875823· OSTI ID:875823

Eble, Cortland ^[1]; Drahovzal, James; Morse, David; Demir, Ilham; Rupp, John; Mastalerz, Maria; Solano, Wilfrido

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1. Kentucky Geological Survey

In order to assess the economic coal bed methane potential of the Illinois Basin, the geological surveys of Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky performed a geological assessment of their respective parts of the Illinois Basin. A considerable effort went into generating cumulative coal thickness and bed structure maps to identify target areas for exploratory drilling. Following this, the first project well was drilled in White County, Illinois in October 2003. Eight additional wells were subsequently drilled in Indiana (3) and Kentucky (5) during 2004 and 2005. In addition, a five spot pilot completion program was started with three wells being completed. Gas contents were found to be variable, but generally higher than indicated by historical data. Gas contents of more than 300 scf/ton were recovered from one of the bore holes in Kentucky. Collectively, our findings indicate that the Illinois Basin represents a potentially large source of economic coal bed methane. Additional exploration will be required to refine gas contents and the economics of potential production.

• Research Organization: Kentucky Geological Survey
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: FC26-03NT41876
• OSTI ID: 875823
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
03 NATURAL GAS
COAL
DRILLING
ECONOMICS
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC SURVEYS
ILLINOIS BASIN
METHANE
PRODUCTION
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
TARGETS
TESTING
THICKNESS