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The objectives of this project are to evaluate the feasibility of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) sequestration in Texas low-rank coals and to determine the potential for enhanced coalbed methane (CBM) recovery as an added benefit of sequestration. The main tasks for this reporting period were to correlate well logs and refine coal property maps, evaluate methane content and gas composition of Wilcox Group coals, and initiate discussions concerning collection of additional, essential data with Anadarko. To assess the volume of CO{sub 2} that may be sequestered and volume of methane that can be produced in the vicinity of the proposed Sam Seymour sequestration site, we used approximately 200 additional wells logs from Anadarko Petroleum Corp. to correlate and map coal properties of the 3 coal-bearing intervals of Wilcox group. Among the maps we are making are maps of the number of coal beds, number of coal beds greater than 5 ft thick, and cumulative coal thickness for each coal interval. This stratigraphic analysis validates the presence of abundant coal for CO{sub 2} sequestration in the Wilcox Group in the vicinity of Sam Seymour power plant. A typical wellbore in this region may penetrate 20 to 40 coal beds with cumulative …

The Nevada Operations Office of the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) has contracted with Petroleum Technology Corporation (PTC) to perform a gas stimulation program by chemical explosive fracturing (CEF) in the Canyon sands of the Val Verde - Kerr Basin of Sutton County, Texas. This lenticular tight sand deposit, underlying much of southwestern Texas, contains large volumes of natural gas. To date this formation has yielded only marginal amounts of gas because of its low porosity and permeability. The semi-arid environment of the Aldwell/Sawyer field is characterized by dry arroyos and xeric vegetation. Population is sparse and sheep ranching is the primary occupation. Because of the existence of previously drilled oil and gas wells, road and pipeline construction will be minimal. Impacts from this two well project are expected to be minimal and be confined to temporary surface disruption and increased erosion at the well site.

A proposed two-well stimulation test to be carried out in Sutton County, Texas is described. Work will be performed in the lenticular tight sand formation of the Val Verde-Kerr Basin to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of chemical explosive fracturing as a method of increasing gas deliverability in that formation. The purpose of the project's experimental design, which calls for the testing of two separate wells using different techniques, would be to obtain the maximum amount of information relating to the most effective method of stimulating this particular reservoir. Results will permit the direct comparison of the different completion techniques. Also the testing of more than one well in a given area will allow for the collection of complementary data with regards to the characteristics of the reservoir and the experimental results from the explosive stimulation. The environmental effects of the project are assessed. (JRD)

This compilation identities all locations of potential source of geothermal fluids in Texas available as of December 1981. 7 refs. (ACR)