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Coalbed Methane Potential in the Western Kentucky Coal Field
Overview
This project is an evaluation of a part of the Western Kentucky Coal Field for coalbed methane.
Funding
The project is being funded by the Kentucky Consortium for Energy and the Environment, Peabody Energy and the Kentucky Geological Survey.
Description
The Western Kentucky Coal Field is the southern tip of the Eastern Interior ( Illinois) Basin. It extends across all or parts of 19 counties, covering 16,572 km 2. Geologic analysis of the Western Kentucky Coal Field over the past 15 years indicates that economic coalbed methane will most likely be found in coals of the Carbondale and Shelburn Formations because these beds are the thickest, and most laterally continuous in the Western Kentucky Coal Field. These coals include the Davis through Baker. Some other coals, which are known to be locally thick (e.g., Mannington), may contain economically recoverable gas as well. An analysis of 20 borehole records from Webster and Union Counties indicates an average of 17 feet, and in some cases more than 25 feet, of coal in the Davis through Baker interval. An overburden map on the Springfield coal indicates that a considerable amount of the Springfield occurs at depths of 500 feet, or more, across a large part of the coal field. An even larger area has at least 200 feet or more of cover. This indicates that the coal beds considered to be principle targets have sufficient cover for methane production across most of the Western Kentucky Coal Field. This project will proceed in two phases:
Details of project phases
Phase 1: Our initial work will be focused in an area in Ohio County. Coal samples of the Springfield coal will be collected and tested to measure and characterize the CBM through a coring program. Samples will first be desorbed to measure gas content, and the gas will subsequently be analyzed for composition (types and amounts of gases present) and origin (biogenic or thermogenic).
Phase 2: In the second phase, our efforts will expand to other parts of the coal field to identify specific areas with the best potential for economic CBM. Geologic data from oil and gas drill record and borehole information will be accumulated and analyzed to determine which areas of the WKCF have the greatest cumulative thickness of coal at sufficient depth for potential CBM production. These data will assist future drilling by locating the best areas for potential multiple seam completion. Mine maps will also be analyzed to determine if any structural trends, such as regional flexure patterns or faulting, can be identified, as these areas can greatly enhance the natural permeability of the coal.
Additional Information:
Coalbed Methane Potential of the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field , Geological Society of America NE-SE section meeting, Tysons Corner, VA March 24-27, 2004.
IOGCC Coal Seam Natural Gas in the Northern Appalachian Basin, Charleston, West Virginia, September 24, 2002