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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





3.4.1. Key Deep Source Gas Projects


Gas Generation from Subducted Sediment Along the Eastern Aleutian Trench
Contract: DE-AI21-83MC20422
Performer: USGS (Menlo Park, CA)
Key Investigators: Keith Kvenvolden, Roland von Huene
Time Period: 1983-1986+
Objectives: To evaluate the potential for occurrence of deeply generated gas resources along a modern convergent continental margin where subduction has been dominant by:

  • Applying new processing sequences to two grids of data (20 lines, about 1,600 km) to allow development of a 3-D quantitative model and
  • Using the 3-D structural model to explore potential migration paths and trapping structures in areas likely to be above the gas generation window.
Convergent Margin Geologic Characterization for Deep Source Hydrocarbon Potential
Contract: DE-AI21-83MC20422
Performer: USGS (Menlo Park, CA)
Key Investigators: David Howell, David Jones, Peter Coney
Time Period: 1983-1986+
Objectives: To evaluate the potential for occurrence of deeply buried hydrocarbons along a convergent continental margin by:
  • Establishing the age, lithology and structural relations between and within thrustbounded oceanic terranes that overlie continental platform assemblages in the central and eastern Brooks Range and Charlie River-Eagle areas,
  • Establishing the thermal maturation and nature of constituents in possible source rocks in both continental and oceanic terranes,
  • Identifying possible structural sites favorable for accumulation of deep gas resources, and
  • Extending geologic data and geophysical data into Yukon Flats to evaluate the potential of the region.
Deep Investigative Geophysical Studies
Contract: DE-AI21-83MC20422
Performer: USGS (Denver, CO)
Key Investigators: William Stanley
Time Period: 1983-1986+
Objectives: To evaluate the potential for occurrence of deeply buried hydrocarbons along a convergent continental margin locating “suture” zones in the Mesozoic of the Cordillera where thick sedimentary sequences may have been thrust to large depths by accretion, through the use of electromagnetic sounding studies (magnetotellurics) integrated with gravity, magnetic, remote sensing and available seismic data.

Geologic Research of Conventional and Unconventional Hydrocarbon Resources, Task No. 2 Analysis of Deep Seismic Reflection and Other Data from the Southern Washington Cascades
Contract: DE-AT21-92MC29267
Performer: USGS (Denver, CO)
Key Investigators: William Stanley
Time Period: 1992
Objectives: Perform a synthesis of geological, geophysical, and geochemical data from a largely volcanic rock covered region in southwestern Washington that has been identified as being underlain by thick marine sedimentary rocks.

A Theoretical and Experimental Study of the Composition of Deep Source gas
Contract: DE-AC21-84MC-21229
Performer: University of Tulsa
Key Investigators: Colin Barker
Time Period: pre-1986
Objectives: Establish the composition of deep gas by thermodynamic calculation and by direct analysis of gases trapped in fluid inclusions.

Subduction Zone Tectonic Studies to Develop Concepts for the Occurrence of Sediment Subduction, Phase I
Contract: DE-MC-20213-1820
Performer: Texas A&M Research Foundation (College Station, TX)
Key Investigators: Thomas W.C. Hilde
Time Period: 1983-1985
Objectives: To define the tectonics of sediment subduction in deep ocean trenches. The project employed bathymetric data supported by marine seismic data to define the structures of trenches, sediment distribution and deformation through various stages of plate convergence, and the sediment subduction/accretion balance based on the factors controlling the fate of sediments at the trench.

Subduction Zone Tectonic Studies to Develop Concepts for the Occurrence of Sediment Subduction, Phase II
Contract: DE-AC21-83MC20213
Performer: Texas A&M Research Foundation (College Station, TX)
Key Investigators: Thomas W.C. Hilde
Time Period: 1983-1986
Objectives: To define the tectonics of sediment subduction in deep ocean trenches. The project employed bathymetric data supported by marine seismic data to define the structures of trenches, sediment distribution and deformation through various stages of plate convergence, and the sediment subduction/accretion balance based on the factors controlling the fate of sediments at the trench.

Hydrocarbon Generation at the Convergent Margin of Coastal Washington and Oregon
Contract: DE-AI21-83MC20422
Performer: USGS (Menlo Park, CA)
Key Investigators: Keith Kvenvolden, Parke D. Snavely
Time Period: 1984-1987
Objectives: To test a geologic model of the convergent margin of Washington and Oregon so that broad exploration targets and the petroleum potential of subducted Tertiary sedimentary rocks can be evaluated. About 160 samples, chiefly from biostratigraphically dated strata, were collected from widely spaced localities and analyzed for vitrinite reflectance and source rock characteristics. Gas and oil samples were collected from active seeps and two wells for geochemical and isotopic analysis. Comparisons were made between molecular markers in the oils and extracts from the rock samples.

Deep Gas in the Barbados Accretionary Prism
Contract: DE-RP21-84MC21132
Performer: Northwestern University
Key Investigators: R.C. Speed
Time Period: July 1985-July 1986
Objectives: To understand the processes and potential of gas generation in terrigenoussediment rich forearcs at active convergent margins, and to provide an analog for the structural and hydrocarbon evolution of ancient accretionary complexes sutured against and above the edge of the North American continent. This study was particularly concerned with the relative thermal maturation rates in offscraped and under-riding sediment, thermal regimes at depth in the Barbados accretionary prism, tectonic activity at the inner side of accretionary prisms and the generation or regeneration of gas conduits from depth, and tectonics or sedimentation that lead to gas reservoirs and seals in accretionary prisms.

Thermal History Modeling of Convergent Margins
Contract: DE-AC21-85MC22009
Performer: Columbia University Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory
Key Investigators: Gerard Bond, Michelle Kominz
Time Period: Oct. 1985-Jan.1989
Objectives: To develop a generalized thermal model for forearc prisms and to apply the model specifically to the Oregon-Washington and southern Alaska margins. The predicted thermal history of the sediments was to be used to determine the likelihood of the production of significant accumulations of gas in these regions.

Detection/Differentiation System Development for Deep Source Gases
Contract: DE-AC21-84MC21131
Performer: Global Geochemistry Corp.
Key Investigators: W.A. Jeffery, Ian R. Kaplan, Harmon Craig
Time Period: October 1984 – December 1985
Objectives: To collect and analyze hydrocarbon gases from three major deep sources: sediments in deep subsiding basins, mantle release of abiogenic gas, and subducted sediments at convergent margins. The results of the analytical scheme were to be used to differentiate subduction zone gases from gases of deep sedimentary or mantle origins.

Methow Basin Paleomagnetic Analysis
Contract: DE-AP21-85MC03162
Performer: University of Pittsburgh
Key Investigators: V.A. Schmidt
Time Period: 1985
Objectives: To perform paleomagnetic measurements on 56 specimens from 31 cores taken from oriented rock samples collected from four separate formations from the Methow Basin of Northern Washington.


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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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