Structural control of coalbed methane production in Alabama

International Journal of Coal Geology

Volumn 38, Issue 1-2, 1998, Pages 89-113

  Pashin, Jack C ^a   Groshong Jr , Richard H ^b  

^a Geological Survey of Alabama   (United States)

^b UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA   (United States)

Author keywords

Coalbed methane; Fracture; Production; Strain; Structure

Indexed keywords

MECHANICAL PERMEABILITY; METHANE; NATURAL GAS FIELDS; NATURAL GAS WELL LOGGING; NATURAL GAS WELL PRODUCTION; PETROLEUM GEOLOGY; PETROLEUM RESERVOIR EVALUATION; STRAIN; STRATIGRAPHY; STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY;

COALBED METHANE RESERVOIRS;

COAL DEPOSITS;

COALBED METHANE; GAS PRODUCTION; STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY;

ALABAMA; UNITED STATES;

EID: 0032452138     PISSN: 01665162     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/S0166-5162(98)00034-2     Document Type: Article

References (44)

1. Bearden B.L., Mancini E.A. Petroleum geology of the Carter sandstone (Upper Mississippian) in the Black Warrior basin of Alabama. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull. 69:1985;361-377.
2. Bradley D.C., Kidd W.S.F. Flexural extension of the upper continental crust in collisional foredeeps. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 103:1991;1416-1438.
3. Carroll, R.E., Pashin, J.C., Kugler, R.L., 1995. Burial history and source-rock characteristics of Upper Devonian through Pennsylvanian strata, Black Warrior basin, Alabama. Alabama Geol. Surv., Circular 187, 29 pp.
4. Chamberlin R.T. The Appalachian folds of central Pennsylvania. J. Geol. 18:1910;228-251.
5. Clayton, J.L., Leventhal, J.S., Rice, D.D., Pashin, J.C., Mosher, B., Czepiel, P., 1994. Atmospheric methane flux from coals - preliminary investigation of coal mines and geologic structures in the Black Warrior basin, Alabama. U.S. Geol. Surv., Prof. Pap. 1570, pp. 471-492.
6. Cloos E. Experimental analysis of Gulf Coast fracture patterns. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull. 52:1968;420-444.
7. Decker, A.D., Close, J.C., McBane, R.A., 1989. The use of remote sensing, curvature analysis, and coal petrology as indicators of higher reservoir permeability. 1991 Coalbed Methane Symp. Proc., Univ. Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, pp. 325-340.
8. Ellard, J.S., Roark, R.P., Ayers, W.B., Jr., 1992. Geologic controls on coalbed methane production: an example from the Pottsville Formation (Pennsylvanian Age), Black Warrior basin, Alabama, USA. In: Beamish, B.B., Gamson, P.D. (Eds.), Symposium on Coalbed Methane Research and Development in Australia. James Cook University, Townsville Australia, 1, pp. 45-61.
9. Epard J.-L., Groshong R.H. Excess area and depth to detachment. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull. 77:1993;1291-1302.
10. Epsman, M.L., 1987. Subsurface geology of selected oil and gas fields in the Black Warrior basin of Alabama. Alabama Geol. Surv., Atlas 21, 255 pp.
11. Groshong R.H. Jr. Unique determination of normal fault shape from hanging-wall bed geometry in detached half grabens. Eclogae Geol. Helvetiae. 83:1990;455-471.
12. Groshong R.H. Jr. Area balance, depth to detachment and strain in extension. Tectonics. 13:1994;1488-1497.
13. Groshong R.H. Jr., Epard J.-L. The role of strain in area-constant detachment folding. J. Struct. Geol. 15:1994;613-618.
14. Jamison W.R. Geometric analysis of fold development in overthrust terranes. J. Struct. Geol. 9:1987;207-219.
15. Lyons, P.C., 1997. Central-northern Appalachian coalbed methane flow grows. Oil and Gas Journal, July 7, 1997, pp. 76-79.
16. McFall, K.S., Wicks, D.E., Kuuskraa, V.A., 1986. A geological assessment of natural gas from coal seams in the Warrior basin, Alabama. Gas Research Inst., Topical Rept. GRI 86/0272, 80 pp.
17. Pashin J.C. Regional analysis of the Black Creek-Cobb coalbed methane target interval, Black Warrior basin, Alabama. Alabama Geol. Surv., Bull. 145:1991;127.
18. Pashin, J.C., 1994a. Flexurally influenced eustatic cycles in the Pottsville Formation (Lower Pennsylvanian), Black Warrior basin, Alabama. In: Dennison, J.M., Ettensohn, F.R. (Eds.), Tectonic and Eustatic Controls on Sedimentary Cycles. Soc. Econ. Paleontol. Mineral. Concepts Sedimentol. Paleontol. 4, pp. 89-105.
19. Pashin J.C. Cycles and stacking patterns in Carboniferous rocks of the Black Warrior foreland basin. Gulf Coast Assoc. Geol. Soc. Trans. 44:1994;555-563.
20. Pashin J.C. Coal-body geometry and synsedimentary detachment folding in Oak Grove coalbed methane field, Black Warrior basin, Alabama. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull. 78:1994;960-980.
21. Pashin, J.C., 1997. Productivity of coalbed methane wells in Alabama. 1997 Int. Coalbed Methane Symp. Proc., Univ. Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, pp. 65-74.
22. Pashin J.C. Stratigraphy and structure of coalbed methane reservoirs in the United States: an overview. Int. J. Coal Geol. 35:1998;209-240.
23. Pashin, J.C., Carroll, R.E., 1993. Origin of the Pottsville Formation (Lower Pennsylvanian) in the Cahaba synclinorium of Alabama: genesis of coalbed reservoirs in a synsedimentary foreland thrust system. 1993 Int. Coalbed Methane Symp. Proc., Univ. Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 2, pp. 623-637.
24. Pashin J.C., Hinkle F. Coalbed methane in Alabama. Alabama Geol. Surv., Circ. 192:1997;71.
25. Pashin J.C., Carroll R.E., Barnett R.L., Beg M.A. Geology and coal resources of the Cahaba coal field. Alabama Geol. Surv., Bull. 163:1995;49.
26. Pashin, J.C., Groshong, R.H., Jr., Wang, S., 1995b. Thin-skinned structures influence gas production in Alabama coalbed methane fields. InterGas '95 Proc., Univ. Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, pp. 39-52.
27. Rice D.D. Composition and origins of coalbed gas. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Studies Geol. 38:1993;159-184.
28. Rich J.L. Mechanics of low-angle overthrust faulting as illustrated by the Cumberland thrust block, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull. 18:1934;1584-1596.
29. Rodgers J. Mechanics of Appalachian folding as illustrated by the Sequatchie anticline, Tennessee and Alabama. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull. 34:1950;672-681.
30. Scott, A.R., 1993. Composition and origin of coalbed gases from selected basins in the United States. 1993 Int. Coalbed Methane Symp. Proc., Univ. Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 2, pp. 207-222.
31. Semmes D.R. Oil and gas in Alabama. Alabama Geol. Surv., Spec. Rep. 15:1929;408.
32. Shaw J.H., Hook S.C., Suppe J. Structural trend analysis by axial surface mapping. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull. 78:1994;700-721.
33. Smith, J.K., 1995. Normal faults in Holt and Peterson coalbed methane fields, Black Warrior basin, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Univ. Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, unpublished MS thesis, 76 pp.
34. Sparks, D.P., Lambert, S.W., McLendon, T.H., 1993. Coalbed gas well flow performance controls, Cedar Cove area, Warrior basin, USA. 1993 Int. Coalbed Methane Symp. Proc., Univ. Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 2, pp. 529-548.
35. Suppe J. Geometry and kinematics of fault-bend folding. Am. J. Sci. 284:1983;684-721.
36. Suppe, J., 1985. Principles of Structural Geology. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 537 pp.
37. Suppe J., Medwedeff D.A. Geometry and kinematics of fault-propagation folding. Eclogae Geol. Helvetiae. 83:1990;409-454.
38. Telle, W.R., Thompson, D.A., 1987. Preliminary characterization of the coalbed methane potential of the Cahaba coal field, central Alabama. 1987 Coalbed Methane Symp. Proc., Univ. Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, pp. 141-151.
39. Thomas, W.A., 1988. The Black Warrior basin. In: Sloss, L.L. (Ed.), Sedimentary Cover - North American Craton. Geol. Soc. Am., The Geology of North America, D-2, pp. 471-492.
40. Thomas, W.A., Ferrill, B.A., Allen, J.L., Osborne, W.E., Leverett, D.E., 1991. Synorogenic clastic wedge stratigraphy and subsidence history of the Cahaba synclinorium and the Black Warrior foreland basin. In: Thomas, W.A., Osborne, W.E. (Eds.), Mississippian-Pennsylvanian Tectonic History of the Cahaba Synclinorium. Alabama Geol. Soc. 28th Ann. Field Trip Guidebook, pp. 37-52.
41. Wang, S., 1994. Three-dimensional geometry of normal faults in southeastern Deerlick Creek coalbed methane field, Black Warrior basin, Alabama. Univ. Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, unpublished MS thesis, 77 pp.
42. Wang, S., Groshong, R.H., Jr., Pashin, J.C., 1993. Thin-skinned normal faults in Deerlick Creek coalbed methane field, Black Warrior basin, Alabama. In: Pashin, J.C. (Ed.), New Perspectives on the Mississippian System of Alabama. Alabama Geol. Soc. 30th Ann. Field Trip Guidebook, pp. 69-78.
43. Winston R.B. Preliminary report on coal quality trends in upper Pottsville Formation coal groups and their relationships to coal resource development, coalbed methane occurrence, and geologic history in the Warrior coal basin, Alabama. Alabama Geol. Surv., Circ. 152:1990;53.
44. Withjack M.O., Islam Q.T., La Pointe P.R. Normal faults and their hanging-wall deformation: an experimental study. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull. 79:1995;1-18.