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Kansas Geological Survey, Open-file Report 2008-28


Analysis of Cherokee Group Core Samples for Gas Content
Layne-Christensen #13-28 Beurskens,
SW SW sec. 28, T. 31 S., R. 16 E., Montgomery County, Kansas

by
K. David Newell


KGS Open File Report 2008-28
January 2009

Thirteen three-inch diameter core samples from the Pennsylvanian Cherokee Group were collected from the Layne-Christensen #13-28 Beurskens well, SW SW sec. 28, T. 31 S., R. 16 E., Montgomery County, KS from April 7 to April 9, 2003. The following as-received gas contents were measured, based on the dry weight of the sample:

677.8' to 678.8' Excello Shale 21.6 scf/ton
681.5' to 682.4' Excello Shale 16.1 scf/ton
682.4' to 683.2' Mulky coal 154.9 scf/ton
706.0' to 707.0' Iron Post coal 135.6 scf/ton
731.5' to 732.2' Crowburg coal 118.5 scf/ton
772.0' to 773.0' Mineral coal 148.6 scf/ton
838.3' to 839.1' Tebo coal 119.0 scf/ton
847.0' to 848.0' Weir-Pittsburg coal 135.9 scf/ton
848.0' to 849.0' Weir-Pittsburg coal 139.5 scf/ton
888.2' to 889.2' Bluejacket coal 72.9 scf/ton
1003.7' to 1004.7' Rowe coal 215.3 scf/ton
1053.7' to 1054.7' Riverton coal 120.9 scf/ton
1054.7' to 1055.7' Riverton coal 125.3 scf/ton

Analyses of five desorbed coal gases indicate that these are dry gases, ranging from 1035 to 1057 BTU/scf. Nitrogen is the major non-combustible component gas. Carbon dioxide contents range from 0.7% to 1.7%. Isotopic analysis indicate the gas is mixed thermogenic and biogenic in origin.

Based on gas content, density, and thickness measurements, the gas-in-place estimates for the respective units are:

  unit gas per acre
(thousand cubic ft)
Excello Shale 307.6
Mulky 254.0
Iron Post 311.6
Croweburg 131.5
Mineral 506.7
Tebo 238.5
Weir-Pittsburg 466.0
Bluejacket 131.1
Rowe 444.4
Riverton 533.9

The Layne-Christensen #13-28 Beurskens well; SW SW 28-T.31S.-R.16E., in Montgomery County, KS was selected for desorption tests in association with an on-going coalbed-gas research project at the Kansas Geological Survey. The samples (3-inch-diameter cores) were gathered from April 7, 2003 to April 9, 2003 by K. David Newell and Donghong Pei of the Kansas Geological Survey, with assistance by Jim Stegeman of Colt Energy. Samples were obtained by wireline coring on a rig owned by Layne-Christensen, Canada.

Bottom-hole times (i.e., the time the core sample was lifted from the bottom of the hole) and canistering times (i.e., the time the sample was placed in the desorption canister) were noted in order to determine lost gas and start of desorption. Approximate wet weight of the sample was determined by subtraction of the weight of the empty canister from the weight of the canister with the sample in it. After the sample was removed from the canister, it was weighed again before air-drying, then weighed after drying. The weight loss is noted in the desorption table.

Report is in PDF format

Complete Report or In Sections - Report | Figures | Desorption Readings | Appendix


Kansas Geological Survey, Energy Research
Updated January 2009
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