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DOE's Unconventional Gas Research Programs 1976-1995
SOURCE: U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region





3.4.2. Highlights of Important Results


Perhaps one of the most important products of the Deep Source Gas program was a 140 mile (230 km) seismic reflection survey designed to describe the regional structural geology of the Washington-Oregon area and to determine the practicality of using reflection techniques in this region.

The boundaries of the study area (Figure 3.4.2) were based on a magnetotelluric survey conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as part of the Deep Source Gas program.

This survey delineated an anomalously conductive rock layer in an area roughly bounded by Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Rainier. This feature, named the Southwestern Cascades Conductive Anomaly (SWCC), was interpreted to be caused by a sedimentary sequence underlying the surface volcanic layer.

Figure 3.4.2: Index Map of SWCC Region with Location of DOE and Other Seismic Data and Magnetotelluric Profiles. (Click to enlarge)
Figure 3.4.2: Index Map of SWCC Region with Location of DOE and Other Seismic Data and Magnetotelluric Profiles. (Click to enlarge)

Previous exploration drilling had not tested these deep sediments, but other drilling in the Pacific Northwest had found shows of both oil and gas and had led to the discovery of the Mist gas field (42+ Bcf) of northern Oregon, the region’s only commercial field.

However, most exploration activity had been conducted before the development of modern plate tectonic theory.

Both the seismic reflection interpretation and associated maturity studies indicated that the study area contained sediments potentially favorable for hydrocarbon accumulations.

The geologic model suggested by the study also indicated an extremely dynamic system that had evolved significantly over time, with complex interactions between structural formation and deposition.

In an epilogue to this study, in late 1997 Hunt Oil Company drilled a rank wildcat in Lewis County, Washington (HOC State No. 36-1). The well encountered hole problems resulting from the stress conditions existing within the subsurface, and was abandoned at a depth of 10,342 feet, prior to reaching its target depth of 15,000 ft. While some shows were reported in the well, it did not reach the depth necessary to test the potential for deeper sediments suggested by the model.

Table 3.4.1: List of Major Research Reports for Deep Source Gas Program (1984-1992).

Also available in ..

Title
--------------------------------------- 		Authors
------------------------- 		Organization
--------------------------- 		Date
--------------
Analysis of Deep Seismic Reflection and Other Data from the Southern Washington Cascades (Task 2 Final Report) Stanley, W.D.; Nuccio, J. USGS undated
Deep Seismic Survey Extending from Western Washington to Mist Gas Field, Oregon - Final Report Hollis, D.O. Geophysical Systems Corp. 1992 Oct
Deep Source Gas - Topical Report DOE-METC DOE-METC 1985 Feb
Deep Source Gas. Technology status report DOE-METC DOE-METC 1986 Jan
Deep Source Gas: Technology status report DOE-METC DOE-METC 1987 Jan
Deep Source Gas Workshop Technical Proceedings (May 3-4, 1982) Gwilliam, W.J.; editor DOE-METC 1982 Sep
Detection/differentiation system development for deep source gases: Final report for Phase 1, October 1984-December 1985 Jeffrey, A.W.A. Global Geochemistry Corp. 1987 Feb
Hydrocarbon Production Gases from Subduction Zones - Topical Report Global Geochemistry Corp. 1986 Jan
Megascopic Descriptions of Rock Samples from the Methow Valley of Western Washington State - Technical Memorandum Moore, R.A. EG&G 1985 May
Methow Basin Paleomagnetic Analysis Schmidt, Victor A. University of Pittsburgh 1985 Aug
Overview of hydrocarbon exploration in Cenozoic tectonic basins of the Pacific NW, USA Boswell, Ray EG&G 1991 May
Petrographic Analysis of Rock Thin-Sections from the Methow Valley, Western Washington State Meyer, Theodore J. EG&G 1985 Sep
Potential for Generation of Natural Gas in Sediments of the Convergent Margin of the Aleutian Trench Area Kvenvolden, Keith A.; von Huene, Roland USGS 1984
Proceedings of the Gas Hydrates, Arctic/Offshore Research, and Deep Source Gas Contractors Review Meeting Komar, C.A.; editor DOE-METC 1986 Jul
Seismic Imaging of the SWCC Daley, T.M.; Majer, E.L. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 1992 Jan
Stability of natural gas in the deep subsurface. Final report Barker, C. University of Tulsa 1996 Jul
Statistical Analysis of Geochemical Data for Methrow Valley Samples - Technical Memorandum Moore, R.A. and Robey, E.H. EG&G 1985 Sep
Subduction Zone Tectonic Studies to Develop Concepts for the Occurrence of Sediment Subduction (Phase 1) - Final Report Hilde, Thomas W.C. Texas A&M 1984 Aug
Subduction Zone Tectonic Studies to Develop Concepts for the Occurrence of Sediment Subduction (Phase 2) - Final Report Vol. 1 of 3 Payne, Bandy, et al. Texas A&M 1989 Feb
Subduction Zone Tectonic Studies to Develop Concepts for the Occurrence of Sediment Subduction (Phase 2) - Final Report Vol. 2 of 3 Payne, Bandy, et al. Texas A&M 1989 Feb
Subduction Zone Tectonic Studies to Develop Concepts for the Occurrence of Sediment Subduction (Phase 2) - Final Report Vol. 3 of 3 Payne, Bandy, et al. Texas A&M 1989 Feb
Theoretical and experimental study of the composition of deep source gas. Final report Barker, C. University of Tulsa 1985 Jul
Thermal Modeling of Forearc Regions - Final report Kominz, M. A.; Bond, G. C. Columbia University 1989 Aug
Deep Gas Gwilliam, W.J. DOE-METC 1990 Jun
Deep gas in the Barbados accretionary prism: Sources, migration, detection: Final report Speed, R.C. 1987 Jun
Determination of in-situ stress from anelastic strain-recovery measurements of oriented core: applications to hydraulic-fracture-treatment design Teufel, L.W. 1983 Jan
Generation of deep gas in sedimentary basins Sweeney, J.J.; Lewis, A.E.; Burnham, A.K.; et al. 1992 Jan
Geologic Mapping of the Morton Anticline - Lewis Co., Washington Pappajohn, Steve GeoTrends, Inc 1990 Nov
Natural Gas Generation in Sediments of the Convergent Margin of the Eastern Aleutian Trench Area Kvenvolden, K.A., and R. von Huene Tectonostratigraphic terranes of the Circum-Pacific Region: Earht Sciences Series, No.1, p. 31-49. 1985
Potential for deep natural gas resources in eastern Gulf of Mexico Rice, D.D.; Schenk, C.J.; Schmoker, J.W.; et al. 1992 Jan


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Page

Executive Summary

1. Background

2. GRI Research into Unconventional Gas Resources

3. Structure of the Enhanced Gas Recovery Program (EGR)

  • 3.1. Eastern Gas Shales Program (1976-1992)

  • 3.1.1. Key Questions and Related R&D Goals
  • 3.1.2. Program Design and Overview of Major Projects
  • 3.1.3. Key Eastern Gas Shales Projects
  • 3.1.4. Highlights of Important Results
  • 3.1.5. Subsequent Developments in DOE and Other Research Related to Eastern Gas Shales

  • 3.2. Western Gas Sands Program (1978-1992)

  • 3.2.1. Key Questions and Related R&D Goals
  • 3.2.2. Program Design and Overview of Major Projects
  • 3.2.3. Key Western Gas Sands Projects
  • 3.2.4. Highlights of Important Results
  • 3.2.5. Subsequent Developments in DOE Research Related to Tight Gas Sands

  • 3.3. Methane Recovery from Coalbeds Program (1978-1982)

  • 3.3.1. Key Questions Related to Coal Seam Methane
  • 3.3.2. MRCP Program Design and Overview
  • 3.3.3. Key Methane Recovery from Coalbeds Projects
  • 3.3.4. Highlights of Important Results
  • 3.3.5. Subsequent Research Related to Methane Recovery from Coalbeds

  • 3.4. Deep Source Gas Project (1982-1992)

  • 3.4.1. Key Deep Source Gas Projects
  • 3.4.2. Highlights of Important Results

  • 3.5. Methane Hydrates Program (1982-1992)

  • 3.5.1. Methane Hydrates Workshop (March 1982)
  • 3.5.2. Key Questions and Related R&D Goals
  • 3.5.3. Program Design
  • 3.5.4. Major Contracted Gas Hydrates Projects
  • 3.5.5. Methane Hydrate Research Efforts of METC's In-House Organization
  • 3.5.6. Highlights of Important Results
  • 3.5.7. Subsequent Developments in Methane Hydrate Research

  • 3.6. Secondary Gas Recovery (1987-1995)

  • 3.6.1. Key Objectives and Program Design
  • 3.6.2. Major Projects
  • 3.6.3. Major Results

    4. Elements of Spreadsheet Bibliographies (by Program)

    Appendix A: Details of Major 1970-1980 Unconventional Gas Resource Assessments

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