Search Index Search Results Contents

E & P NOTES AUTHORS

Scott L. Montgomery Petroleum
Consultant, 1511 18th Avenue East, Seattle,
Coalbed methane, Cook Inlet, Washington, 98112;
scott.montgomery@prodigy.net
south-central Alaska: A Scott L. Montgomery is a petroleum
consultant and author residing in Seattle,
potential giant gas resource Washington. He holds a B.A. degree in English
from Knox College (1973) and an M.S. degree
in geological sciences from Cornell University
Written by Scott L. Montgomery and Charles E. Barker (1978). He is the lead author for the E&P
Geology by Charles E. Barker, Dan Seamount, Notes series in the AAPG Bulletin (since 1996)
Todd A. Dallegge, and Robert F. Swenson and has published widely on many topics in
the petroleum industry.

Charles E. Barker U.S. Geological

ABSTRACT Survey, Box 25046, MS 977, Denver Federal
Cook Inlet Basin of south-central Alaska is a forearc basin con- Center, Denver, Colorado 80225;
taining voluminous Tertiary coal deposits with sufficient meth- barker@usgs.gov
ane content to suggest a major coalbed gas resource. Coals Charles E. Barker has been a senior research
ranging in thickness from 2 to 50 ft (0.6 to 15 m) and in gas geologist on the USGS Energy Resources
content from 50 to 250 scf/ton (1.6 to 7.8 cm2 /g) occur in Team for 24 years. His publications have
MioceneOligocene fluvial deposits of the Kenai Group. These focused on geothermometry, basin modeling,
coals have been identified as the probable source of more than and coalbed methane. He has prior
8 tcf gas that has been produced from conventional sandstone experience with Tenneco and Union Oil
Companies. He has been active in several
reservoirs in the basin. Cook Inlet coals can be divided into
societies: 19992000 chairman of the Coal
two main groups: (1) those of bituminous rank in the Tyonek
Geology Division of the Geological Society of
Formation that contain mainly thermogenic methane and are America; 19981999 president of the Society
confined to the northeastern part of the basin (Matanuska Val- for Organic Petrology; 1992 president of the
ley) and to deep levels elsewhere; and (2) subbituminous coals Society for Luminescent Microscopy and
at shallow depths (5000 ft [1524 m]) in the Tyonek and Spectroscopy. Charley was educated at San
overlying Beluga formations, which contain mainly biogenic Diego State University (B.S. degree, 1974),
methane and cover most of the central and southern basin. University of California, Riverside (M.S.
Based on core and corrected cuttings-desorption analyses, gas degree, 1979) and the University of Adelaide
contents average 230 scf/ton (7.2 cm2 /g) for bituminous coals (Ph.D., 1995).
and 80 scf/ton (2.5 cm2 /g) for subbituminous coals. Isotherms
constructed for samples of both coal ranks suggest that bitu-
minous coals are saturated with respect to methane, whereas
subbituminous coals at shallow depths along the eroded west-
central basin margin are locally unsaturated. A preliminary es-
timate of 140 tcf gas in place is derived for the basin.

INTRODUCTION

The Cook Inlet Basin of south-central Alaska is a hydrocarbon-

bearing forearc province with abundant, largely unmined coals

Copyright 2003. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights reserved.
Manuscript received February 4, 2002; provisional acceptance April 4, 2002; revised manuscript received
May 17, 2002; final acceptance July 26, 2002.

AAPG Bulletin, v. 87, no. 1 (January 2003), pp. 113 1


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Geology in this article is by Charles E. Barker,
U.S. Geological Survey; Dan Seamount, Alaska
Oil and Gas Commission; Todd A. Dallegge,
U.S. Geological Survey and University of
Alaska; and Robert F. Swenson, Philips Petro-
leum, Alaska. Data for this article are courtesy
of UNOCAL (Erik Graven), Ocean Energy
(Brett Jameson), Forest Oil ([formerly Force-
nergy] Richard Nelson), Evergreen Resources
(John Tanigawa), Lapp Resources (David
Lappi), the Alaska Division of Geological and
Geophysical Surveys (Jim Clough), and the
U.S. Geological Survey.
2 E&P Notes
Search Index Search Results Contents
of Cenozoic age. Estimates of the total coal resource within
the basin are on the order of 1.5 trillion tons (1.4 trillion t)
(Merritt and Belowich, 1984; Merritt and Hawley, 1986;
Smith, 1995), fully one-third the total volume cited for the
entire conterminous United States (4.5 trillion tons [4.1 trillion
t]) (Potential Gas Committee, 2001). Geochemical studies of
hydrocarbon fields in Cook Inlet Basin indicate that as much
as 93% of the natural gas discovered to date in conventional
sandstone reservoirs, totaling on the order of 810 tcf, is
sourced from coal beds, with which the productive sandstones
are interbedded (Claypool et al., 1980). Geochemical similarity
between gas in these reservoirs and that desorbed from coal
beds indicates that the coals have generated enough gas to
saturate the coal beds themselves and expulse excess gas into
adjacent sandstones. Recent analyses of these coals have re-
vealed moderate to good methane contents, ranging from 80
to 230 scf/ton (2.5 to 7.2 cm2 /g) on a dry, ash-free basis.
In combination, such information suggests that a very
large, untapped coalbed methane resource exists in both on-
shore and offshore parts of the Cook Inlet Basin. This re-
source, estimated at 245 tcf (Gas Technology Institute, 2001),
is found in PaleocenePliocene formations that were deposited
during periods of rapid basin subsidence and alluvial infilling.
Two fundamental plays have been identified in different target
intervals: (1) immature coals of the Miocene Beluga and Pli-
oceneMiocene Sterling formations and (2) mature coals of the
MioceneOligocene Tyonek Formation and the EocenePaleo-
cene Chickaloon Formation. Coals at relatively shallow depths,
for example, above 6000 ft (1830 m), range from lignite
(Sterling Formation) to anthracite (Chickaloon Formation) in
rank. To date, only a few, generally scattered exploratory wells
have attempted to evaluate these plays. Moreover, attempted
production to date has employed conventional technology,
without due consideration for the special requirements in-
volved in drilling and completing coalbed methane wells.
Nonetheless, early drilling results are encouraging in terms of
shallow depths to target coal beds, thick net coal sections
(150 ft [46 m]), and moderate gas content and suggest that
a program of sustained, systematic exploration could yield con-
siderable rewards (Barker et al., 2001). Such exploration
would benefit considerably from abundant infrastructure and
the large volume of seismic, well, and production data avail-
able from both onshore and offshore hydrocarbon fields in
Cook Inlet.
This article offers a synthesis of published and newly re-
leased data related to coalbed methane potential in Cook Inlet
Basin. Relevant evaluations remain at an early stage, due to
the relatively small number of wells that have specifically
tested coalbed methane potential. We hope that the discussion
presented in the following sections will help encourage further
investigation of the large potential resource in this region.
 Search Index
REGIONAL GEOLOGY
Tectonic Setting
The Cook Inlet Basin encompasses approximately
14,000 mi2 (36,000 km2) in southern Alaska and con-
tains large volumes of identified coal resources (Figure
1). Tectonically, the basin is a northeast-southwest
oriented forearc province located between the Alaska
RangeAleutian Volcanic Arc to the northwest and
Chugach-Kenai accretionary complex to the southeast
(Figure 2). The basin is structurally complex; bounded
by major, active fault zones; and includes numerous
late Tertiary folds (Figure 3) (Plafker et al., 1994). To
the southeast, the Border Ranges fault separates the
basin from the Chugach terrane, an emergent part of
the accretionary prism consisting of metamorphosed
sedimentary and igneous rocks. On the north and
northwest, the Bruin Bay and Castle Mountain fault
zones form the boundary between the Tertiary depo-
center and the volcanic arc. The basin narrows toward
the northeast, becoming a graben of only 5 mi (8 km)
width in the Matanuska Valley (Figure 4).
Recent studies of structural history in the prov-
ince suggest that a majority of the deformation reflects
dextral transpression along these major faults, which
exhibit several kilometers of vertical displacement and
which extend downward into Mesozoic basement
(Nokelberg et al., 1994; Haeussler et al., 2000). Many
of the folds in the basin with associated hydrocarbon
production are tight, asymmetrical, and characterized
by reverse faults (Figure 3). As shown by the cross
section of Figure 3, fault movement occurred in sev-
eral phases, with possible reactivation of some struc-
tures. Important phases of deformation appear to have
occurred in the Late JurassicEarly Cretaceous, early
Tertiary (PaleoceneEocene?), and late Tertiary (Mio-
ceneQuaternary) (Swenson, 1997; Haeussler et al.,
2000).
Late stage (post-Miocene) uplift of basin margins
and subsidence of the basin depocenter is shown on
the map of Figure 4 (Smith, 1995). This map shows
depth to mean random vitrinite reflectance (Ro) of
0.6% and suggests that large parts of the southwestern
and northeastern basin contain rocks at shallow depths
(5000 ft [1525 m]) that have reached significant lev-
els of thermal maturity. Accurate understanding of de-
tailed structural history will require resolution of Pli-
oceneQuaternary stratigraphy, which is not yet
completed (Bruhn et al., 2000; Dallegge and Barker,
2000; Haeussler et al., 2000).
Search Results Contents
Stratigraphy, Lithology, and Depositional History
Basin fill includes more than 25,000 ft (7600 m) of
Tertiary nonmarine strata, which unconformably over-
lie deeply buried, mostly marine, Mesozoic rocks. Re-
gional stratigraphy of the Tertiary section is shown in
Figure 5. The section consists of six time-transgressive
units ranging in thickness from zero to several thou-
sand meters. These units have been defined solely from
subsurface data (Calderwood and Fackler, 1972) and
are presently identified on the basis of general charac-
ter, specific lithology, sparse fossil data, and correla-
tions using both outcrop and wellbore information.
The oldest Tertiary strata in the basin are Paleo-
ceneEocene and included in the unit locally named
the Chickaloon Formation. This unit appears largely
confined to the Matanuska Valley in the northeastern
part of the province and consists of conglomerate,
sandstone, shale, volcanic rock, and coal ranging in
rank from high-volatile bituminous to anthracite.
Chickaloon strata uncomfortably overlie Cretaceous
and Jurassic marine rocks and are unconformably over-
lain by tuffaceous sandstone and conglomerate of the
EoceneOligocene West Foreland Formation.
Stratigraphically above the West Foreland For-
mation are a series of four OligocenePliocene units
included within the Kenai Group (Swenson, 1997).
The Kenai Group forms the major coal-bearing inter-
val of regional extent and is found at depths of less
than 6000 ft (1829 m) over large parts of the basin.
The basal formation of the group is the Hemlock Con-
glomerate, consisting of fine- to coarse-grained sand-
stones, siltstone (tuffaceous in part), sporadic coal
beds, and conglomerate. Sands of this unit have sig-
nificant porosity and permeability (average 17% and
80 md) and form the dominant conventional hydro-
carbon reservoir of the Cook Inlet Basin (Magoon,
1994).
Overlying deposits, comprising most of the Kenai
Group (Figure 5), include the Tyonek, Beluga, and
Sterling formations. These units form a thick sequence
of alluvial sandstones, siltstones, mudstones, carbona-
ceous shales, and coals with a combined thickness of
up to 20,000 ft (7000 m) or more. Sandstones are com-
monly massive or lenticular channel deposits, consist-
ing of quartz, feldspar, lithic fragments, and volcani-
clastic debris. Similarities in lithology among the three
formations, as well as rapid lateral facies changes and
the lack of diagnostic fossils, have made it difficult to
determine precise and consistent stratigraphic contacts
(Dallegge and Barker, 2000).
Montgomery and Barker 3
 Search Index Search Results Contents

Figure 1. Location of Cook

Inlet Basin, showing interpreted
distribution of coal resources.

4 E&P Notes
 Search Index
The general characteristics of each unit are given
in Table 1. The Tyonek Formation includes fine- to
coarse-grained sandstones, shales, and coal beds up to
50 ft (15.2 m) thick. Detailed study of continuous
core from a coalbed methane test well drilled in
1994, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources
(AKDNR) AK 94 CBM-1 (Figure 3), in the north-
eastern part of the basin (Smith, 1995), shows that
sandstone makes up 5560% of the total Tyonek in-
terval (Flores et al., 1997). Strata of the Beluga For-
mation, compared with those of the Tyonek interval,
are generally finer grained, more thinly bedded, and
richer in siltstone, channelized muddy sandstone, and
tuffaceous sediment. Coals of the Beluga interval are
generally thin (5 ft [1.5 m]), but in the western on-
shore part of the basin they reach 40 ft (12 m) thick.
Beluga coals are relatively low rank (lignite to sub-
bituminous) and generally lenticular. The base of the
formation is commonly identified on geophysical logs
as the top of the uppermost thick (10 ft [3 m]) coal
in the Tertiary section (Swenson, 1997). The Sterling
Formation is a sandstone-dominated sequence with
abundant stacked channels. Sandstones are friable,
fine to coarse grained, and thicker than in the under-
lying Beluga Formation, producing a distinctive blocky
response on well logs. Sterling coals are lignite in rank
and commonly lower in grade (higher in ash content)
compared to the Beluga and Tyonek coals. They range
from 1 to 10 ft (0.3 to 3 m) in thickness.
Interpretations of Cenozoic deposition in the
Cook Inlet Basin focus on alluvial processes, with
dominant clastic input from the uplifted arc (Alaska
Range) to the north and northwest (Hayes et al.,
Search Results Contents
Figure 2. Schematic block di-
agram showing interpreted tec-
tonic position of Cook Inlet Ba-
sin (modified from Swenson,
1997). Line of section shown in
Figure 1.
1976; Rawlinson, 1984). Sedimentological studies of
the Kenai Group have interpreted braided, anasto-
mosing, and meandering stream systems, with alluvial
fans developed along basin margins (Kremer and
Stadnicky, 1985; Flores et al., 1997, 1999; Swenson,
1997). Abundance of both thick- and thin-bedded
coals throughout the basin testify to widespread de-
velopment of swamp and marsh conditions, possibly
on broad flood plains associated with major, south-
west-draining streams and their tributaries. Facies
trends and paleocurrent data suggest the principal
braided-channel and meandering-overbank-flood-
plain stream systems followed the basin axis, draining
to the southwest, with tributary systems oriented
southeast and northwest (Rawlinson, 1984).
COAL DEPOSITS OF COOK INLET BASIN
Coals are found throughout a large part of the Ter-
tiary section in Cook Inlet Basin. These coals have
been mined in several localities since the late 19th
century (Merritt and Hawley, 1986; Stricker, 1991)
and form a large resource totaling about 0.5 trillion
tons of bituminous and 1.0 trillion tons of subbitu-
minous rank (McGee and OConnor, 1975; Merritt
and Belowich, 1984; Merritt and Hawley, 1986).
Most of the coal occurs in the Tyonek and Beluga
formations, with locally significant volumes in the
Chickaloon Formation of the Matanuska Valley
(Wahrhaftig et al., 1994). Coals of bituminous and
higher rank exist at relatively shallow depths (5000
ft [1525 m]) only in the northeastern part of the
Montgomery and Barker 5
 Search Index Search Results Contents

Figure 3. Regional tectonic map and simplified cross section, Cook Inlet Basin, indicating major structural features and location of
oil and gas fields (modified from Haeussler et al., 2000). Also shown are several wells discussed in this article.

basin, specifically the Matanuska Valley. Anthracite
and semianthracite coal in this valley is associated
with igneous intrusion and related metamorphism.
Elsewhere, over the central and southern parts of the
basin, where the geothermal gradient is typically low
(1F/100 ft [18C/km]), coals are subbituminous in
rank.
The character of coals in the Kenai Group is listed
in Table 2. The greatest volume of coal is found in the
Tyonek Formation, which contains up to 30 or more
coal seams ranging in thickness from 5 to 50 ft (1.5 to
15.2 m). As indicated in Table 2, Tyonek coals range
from subbituminous to bituminous in rank, with
higher rank seams in the Matanuska Valley. Coals of

6 E&P Notes
 Search Index
Figure 4. Depth in feet to 0.6% vitrinite reflectance, Cook Inlet
Basin (modified from Smith, 1995).
the overlying Beluga Formation are subbituminous C
in rank and commonly 210 ft thick (0.63.1 m), with
some seams up to 30 ft (9.2 m). Sterling Formation
coals are thin, generally less than 5 ft (1.5 m) and of
lignite rank.
Highest rank coals in the Cook Inlet Basin exist in
the Chickaloon Formation, which has been mined in
the Matanuska Valley. Most of the Chickaloon coal oc-
curs as closely spaced seams, interbedded with carbo-
naceous shale (Merritt and Hawley, 1986). Coal rank
varies from high-volatile subbituminous in the western
part of the valley to semianthracite and anthracite in
the east, where abundant dikes and sills have meta-
morphosed the coal through local heating (Stricker,
1991).
COALBED METHANE EXPLORATION IN
COOK INLET
The potential for coalbed methane resources in the
Cook Inlet Basin has been recognized for more than a
decade. The first important test of such potential was
a 1994 well, the AKDNR AK-94 CBM-1 (see Figure
3 for location), initiated by the Alaska Department of
Natural Resources and drilled with a U.S. Geological
Survey subsidized rig in the Matanuska Valley near
Wasilla (Smith, 1995). As discussed by Smith (1995),
the well tested an anticlinal prospect and drilled to a
Search Results Contents
Figure 5. Regional stratigraphic units, Tertiary section of the
Cook Inlet Basin, southeastern Alaska (modified from Swenson
[1997] and Smith [1995]). Vertical bars indicate hiatuses.
total depth of 1245 ft (380 m) in the Tyonek Forma-
tion. The structure had been previously penetrated by
four wells with conventional (sandstone) objectives.
All of these wells had gas shows in coal seams (Sea-
mount et al., 1997), and at least two had good shows
in interbedded sandstones. The Tyonek Formation was
continuously cored from 354 ft (108 m) to total depth.
Desorption analyses were conducted under the super-
vision of U.S. Geological Survey personnel on coal
samples. Because of cost constraints, the well was not
flow tested.
Additional testing of coalbed methane potential
was performed on a scattering of conventional oil and
gas wells in different parts of the basin. U.S. Geological
Survey desorption data from the Forcenergy 1 Coffee
Creek well (see Figure 3 for location), drilled in 1997,
have been released. This well penetrated subbitumi-
nous coals in the upper Tyonek Formation but was not
cored. Gas content and desorption studies were carried
out on coal cuttings samples and are discussed in a sub-
sequent section of this article.
The first significant drilling program targeted at
coalbed methane resources in Cook Inlet was initi-
ated in 1998 and remains active. Entitled the Pioneer
Montgomery and Barker 7

Table 1. Formation Characteristics of Cook Inlet Coals*
Coal Seam Thickness
Formation Range/Average
Sterling Formation 15 ft (0.31.5 m)/
2.5 ft (0.8 m)
Beluga Formation 230 ft (0.69.2 m)/
6 ft (1.8 m)
Tyonek Formation 550 ft (1.515.2 m)/
10 ft (3.1 m)
Chickaloon Formation 120 ft (0.3 6.2 m)/ 100 ft (30.5 m)
5 ft (1.5 m)
*Data from Merritt and Hawley (1986) and Stricker (1991).
Prospect, this program is focused on a 55 mi2 (141
km2) area in the Matanuska Valley, which includes
the anticline tested by the AK-94 (see Figure 3). A
partnership between Union Oil of California and
Ocean Energy has drilled three wells in this area, in-
cluding two new holes and one reentry. All three
wells remain in the testing phase as of this writing,
with most data confidential. Estimates based on total
acreage (55,500 ac), average pay (157 ft [48 m] net
coal reservoir), coal density (1.5 gm/cm2), and gas
content (300 scf/ton [9.4 cm2 /g], from well data
within project area) suggest a gas-in-place resource of
3.6 tcf (Seamount et al., 1997).
Advantages to coalbed methane exploration in
Cook Inlet Basin are several. Coals of the Tyonek For-
mation are interbedded with sandstones that have the
potential to enhance productivity. In addition, because
of widespread conventional hydrocarbon production,
there is abundant pipeline infrastructure in the basin,
and well control is good in many areas. Also, the ex-
istence of depleted conventional wells provides a pos-
sible resource for disposal of produced water, via
reinjection.
COOK INLET GASSES: GEOCHEMICAL
CONSTRAINTS AND POSSIBLE COAL
SOURCE
Gasses produced from conventional reservoirs in Cook
Inlet Basin can be divided into two distinct strati-
graphic-compositional groups: associated and nonasso-
ciated (Claypool et al., 1980; Magoon and Claypool,
8 E&P Notes
Search Index Search Results Contents
Ash Content Sulfur Content
Net Coal Thickness Rank (%) (%)
150 ft (45.7 m) Lignite 330 0.20.4
125 ft (38 m) Subbituminous C 325 0.20.4
300 ft (91.5 m) Subbituminous CB (central, 346 0.080.33
southern basin)
Subbituminous Bbituminous
(Matanuska Valley)
High-volume subbituminous 520 0.40.7
Aanthracite
1981; Magoon and Kirschner, 1990). One group in-
cludes associated gas in oil reservoirs that occur in the
lower part of the Tertiary section, including the West
Foreland, Hemlock, and lower Tyonek formations. This
gas contains significant amounts of heavy hydrocarbons
(0.69 C1 /C15 0.90), exhibits a d13C ratio of ap-
proximately 46, and is identified as having a Jurassic
source (Magoon, 1994). A second group of gasses in-
cludes nonassociated gas produced from the upper Ty-
onek, Beluga, and lower Sterling formations at depths
of less than 7500 ft (2287 m). This stratigraphically
higher gas is very dry (C1 /C15 0.99), isotopically
light, with d13C ratios in the range of 63 to 56, and
has its source in coals of the Tyonek, Beluga, and Ster-
ling formations (Claypool et al., 1980).
The stratigraphic distribution of these two types of
gasses is shown on a per-field basis in Figure 6. Geo-
chemical studies using carbon isotope and biological
marker information indicate that associated gasses are
thermogenic in origin and migrated with liquid hydro-
carbons into lower Tertiary reservoirs from marine
source rocks of Jurassic age (Magoon and Anders,
1992; Magoon, 1994). On the basis of occurrence and
isotopic character, nonassociated gasses are interpreted
to have a biogenic origin in coals and carbonaceous
shales that are interbedded with reservoir sandstones
of the upper Tertiary section (Claypool et al., 1980).
This interpretation is supported by recent analyses re-
vealing close similarity in carbon isotope data between
coal samples and liquids that accompany the nonas-
sociated gasses (Magoon and Anders, 1992). A bio-
genic origin for these gasses is also suggested by vitrin-
ite reflectance data and burial history modeling, which
 Search Index Search Results Contents

Table 2. Characteristics of Kenai Group Deposits

Net Coal Depositional

Formation Thickness Lithology Sedimentary Structures Thickness Environments

Sterling 06300 ft Sandstone Trough cross-bedding Up to 150 ft Braided stream

Formation (01920 m) Siltstone Ripple lamination Meandering stream
Carbonaceous shale Fining-upward sequences Overbank flood plain
Coal Stacked channels Mires, swamps
Beluga 04900 ft Sandstone Planar, trough cross-bedding Up to 125 ft Anastomosing stream
Formation (0 1494 m) Conglomerate sandstone Ripple lamination Meanding stream
Siltstone Fining-upward sequences Overbank flood plain
Tuffaceous mudstone Massive, lenticular channels Mires, swamps
Carbonaceous shale
Coal
Tyonek 100010,000 ft Sandstone Planar, trough cross-bedding Up to 300 ft Meandering stream
Formation (3053050 m) Siltstone Asymmetrical and climbing ripples Anastomosing stream
Mudstone/shale Flaser bedding Overbank flood plain
Coal Fining-upward sequences

indicate that the interpreted source intervals in the up-
per Tyonek, Beluga, and Sterling formations are ther-
mally immature (Ro 0.6%) (Magoon and Claypool,
1981).
More thermally mature coals, in the lower Tyonek
Formation, are found in the Matanuska Valley. In this
area, extensive erosion has removed the entire upper
Tyonek and SterlingBeluga intervals, so that the lower
Tyonek Formation occurs at shallow levels, immedi-
ately beneath glacial deposits. Geochemical data from
wells in the valley show vitrinite reflectance values of
0.6% for coals and d13C of 48.9 to 44.0 for gasses
recovered from the lower Tyonek Formation at depths
of 10005000 ft (3051525 m). These data suggest
that there may be a significant thermogenic component
to gas generation from coals in this area (Smith, 1995;
Seamount et al., 1997; Barker et al., 2001). No com-
mercial production of gas currently exists in the Ma-
tanuska Valley. However, indications of gas potential
in the AKDNR AK-94 CBM-1 well, drilled into the
lower Tyonek Formation coals, have made the valley a
focus of recent exploration (Seamount et al., 1997).
In more central areas of the basin, where the over-
lying MiocenePliocene section is preserved and the
lower Tyonek is buried to depths of 8000 ft (2440 m)
or more, rank and gas geochemistry are similar to Ty-
onek coals of the Matanuska Valley. Although current
technology has not proven capable of sustaining coal-
bed methane production at such depths, gas potential
exists where subbituminous Tyonek coals are present
at shallow levels in the northern and western parts of
the basin.
DESORPTION RESULTS: GAS CONTENT
AND ADSORPTION CAPACITY
Evaluating coalbed methane potential for a specific
geologic province involves analysis of coal samples to
measure gas content and adsorption capacity (maxi-
mum volume of gas that a coal can contain under dif-
ferent pressures and temperatures). Such analysis is
based primarily on laboratory desorption measure-
ments, which can be performed on both cores and cut-
tings. In the case of cuttings, a significant amount of
gas is lost because of crushing and transport of sample
material, such that the volume of desorbed gas is com-
monly 2530% lower than that measured for core
taken in the same interval (Nelson, 1999).
Canister desorption has been performed on core
and cuttings samples from a total of nine wells in the
Cook Inlet Basin (Barker et al., 2000, 2001). Desorp-
tion was conducted on a dry, ash-free basis for both
subbituminous and bituminous coals of the Tyonek
Formation. A correction of 25% was used for cut-
tings gas content measurements. As shown in Figure
7A, gas contents for all samples show a wide range,
from a minimum of about 35 scf/ton (1.1 cm2 /g) to a
maximum of 550 scf/ton (17 cm2 /g). The average
for subbituminous Tyonek coals is approximately

Montgomery and Barker 9

 Search Index Search Results Contents

Figure 6. Diagram showing distribution of associated and nonassociated gasses in Tertiary clastic reservoirs, Cook Inlet Basin
(modified from Seamount et al., 1997).

10 E&P Notes
 Search Index Search Results Contents

80 scf/ton (2.5 cm2 /g) and for bituminous coals, 230

scf/ton (7.2 cm2 /g). Little or no indication of increas-
ing gas content with depth can be seen in the combined
data for either rank of coal. Such increase, however, is
evident from desorption data for individual wells, as
shown in Figure 7B, C. The graph of Figure 8B gives
gas content vs. depth data for the AKDNR AK-94
CBM-1 well, whereas Figure 7C shows data for the
Forcenergy 1 Coffee Creek well, which lies to the
southwest. The contrast between Figure 7A and Figure
7B, C suggests that differences in setting (e.g. struc-
tural or thermal history) have resulted in significant
variations in gas content in different parts of the basin.
This conclusion is also supported by adsorption
isotherms constructed for Tyonek coal data in two
separate areas (Figure 8). Such isotherms plot the

Figure 7. Gas content data, derived from desorption analysis

conducted on dry ash-free basis (DAF), plotted as a function of
depth. All data are for coals of the Tyonek Formation. (A) Com-
bined data for seven wells in the Cook Inlet Basin, using both
core and cuttings samples (cuttings data corrected for assumed
gas loss of 25%). (B) Core data for test well Alaska Department
of Natural Resources AK-94 CBM-1, located in the Matanuska
Valley. (C) Data from cuttings, Forcenergy 1 Coffee Creek well,
located in north-central Cook Inlet (see Figure 3 for location). Figure 8. Adsorption isotherms for Tyonek coals in (A) the
Combined data of (A) exhibit little or no pattern with depth, Forcenergy 1 Coffee Creek well, west-central onshore Cook Inlet
whereas single-well data in (B) and (C) display a clear increase and (B) the Pioneer area, Matanuska Valley. Live coal samples
in gas content with depth. courtesy of Ocean Energy and Unocal.

Montgomery and Barker 11

 Search Index
gas-carrying capacity (adsorbed CH4 gas released
during desorption) vs. pressure for a specific coal at a
given temperature. Figure 8A is an isotherm plot at
75F (24C) for bituminous coal in the central Matan-
uska Valley. Desorption was performed on core from
the Ocean Energy/UNOCAL 15DD Pioneer Unit at a
depth of 19491949.9 ft (594594.3 m). Measured
reservoir pressure and gas content were 840 psi (40.2
kPa) and 253 scf/ton (7.9 cm2 /g), respectively. At 75F
(24C), the isotherm predicts a gas content only
slightly higher than this for the same reservoir pressure,
strongly suggesting that coals at this location are
saturated.
By contrast, Figure 8B shows data for the Force-
nergy 1 Coffee Creek well that imply an unsaturated
condition. Desorbed gas for coals sampled at two dif-
ferent depths (1856 and 3960 ft [566 and 1207 m]) is
significantly less than the gas-carrying capacity pre-
dicted by the two isotherms. Data for this well were
derived from cuttings and were, therefore, subjected
to a 25% correction. Nelson (1999) has published
cuttings-to-core desorption data that require a correc-
tion as high as 35%, but even an increase of this amount
does not change the indication of undersaturation in
the Coffee Creek samples. This well is located in an
area of recent uplift and erosion related to the Castle
Mountain fault. Thus, it would appear that coals here
have lost gas or cooled and have not been fully re-
charged from either in-situ biogenic gas or vertical mi-
gration of deeper thermogenic gas.
RESERVE ESTIMATES
Based on the combined gas content data derived from
nine wells, preliminary estimates of coalbed gas in
place can be made for the Cook Inlet Basin. Such es-
timates are derived using equation 1:
GIP GcCm (1)
where GIP is gas in place (mcf); Gc is gas content, on
a dry ash-free basis; and Cm is the total pure coal mass.
In this case, an inferred regional average gas con-
tent (Gc) of 150 scf/ton (4.7 cm2 /g) can be used for
purposes of illustration. Total pure coal mass for the
basin (pure coal in-situ coal resources, minus an es-
timated typical 25% ash yield and moisture content) is
estimated at 1.5 trillion tons (1.4 trillion t), based on
published sources (McGee and OConnor, 1975; Mer-
ritt and Belowich, 1984; Merritt and Hawley, 1986;
12 E&P Notes
Search Results Contents
Smith, 1995) for coal to a depth of approximately
3000 m in seams greater than 2 ft (0.6 m) thick.
Better constrained reserve estimates can be made
for bituminous coal in the Tyonek Formation, the
source of most samples analyzed for gas content. Such
estimates would be confined to the Tyonek at less than
5000 ft (1525 m) in the area of the Matanuska-Susitna
valleys, which define the interval and region for which
gas content determinations have been made. Differ-
ences in coal rank make it necessary to provide separate
estimates for (1) subbituminous coals of the central
and southern basin, which have an average gas content
of 60 scf/ton (1.9 cm2 /g) (in cuttings samples), and
(2) bituminous coals of the Matanuska-Susitna valleys
and deep levels of the basin to the north and northeast,
where gas content averages 230 scf/ton (7.2 cm2 /g) (in
core and cuttings samples) (Barker et al., 2001). The
estimated coal mass for these two areas, above 10,000
ft (3048 m), is 750 billion tons (700 billion t) and 370
billion tons (340 billion t) pure coal equivalent, re-
spectively (Barker et al., 2001). Values of this magni-
tude suggest a total gas-in-place resource of 245 tcf
(Gas Technology Institute, 2001). If 10% of this re-
source is accessible to production at 50% recovery,
available reserves are on the order of 12 tcf.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the preceding information and other available
data, the following conclusions can be made regarding
coalbed methane potential in Cook Inlet Basin.
1. A large potential coalbed methane resource, esti-
mated at 245 tcf gas in place, exists in Cook Inlet.
This resource is contained in the Miocene Tyonek
Formation, which has net coal thicknesses ranging
from 50 to 300 ft (15 to 92 m) at depths of less than
10,000 ft (3048 m) over large areas.
2. The gas in place is divided between coals of bitu-
minous rank, confined to the Matanuska Valley, and
subbituminous coals in the rest of the basin. Higher
gas contents are found in bituminous coals.
3. Gas in Tyonek Formation coals is primarily of bio-
genic origin. Thermal maturity and burial history
information suggest that some contribution of ther-
mogenic gas may exist in the Matanuska Valley.
4. Sandstones interbedded with coal beds may en-
hance the productivity of any coalbed methane
wells.
5. Notable advantages to coalbed methane exploration
 Search Index
and production include abundant existing infra-
structure, good accessibility to drilling locations,
good to moderate well control, presence of a nearby
market, and widespread depleted conventional
wells for possible water disposal via reinjection.
REFERENCES CITED
Barker, C. E., J. C. Clough, and T. A. Dallegge, comps., 2000, Coal-
bed methane prospects of the upper Cook Inlet: 2000 Petro-
leum Technology Transfer Council, Alaska Department of Nat-
ural Resources and U.S. Geological Survey Opportunities in
Alaska Coalbed and Shallow Gas Resources Workshop, Field
Trip Guidebook, 258 p.
Barker, C. E., T. A. Dallegge, and D. C. Seamount, 2001, Ongoing
coalbed desorption studies, Cook Inlet Basin, Alaska (abs.), in
T. A. Dallegge, comp., Guide to the petroleum, geology, and
shallow gas potential of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska: 2001 Pe-
troleum Technology Transfer Council, Alaska Department of
Natural Resources and U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Coalbed
and Shallow Gas Resources Workshop, Field Trip Guidebook,
p. 4055.
Bruhn, R. L., W. T. Parry, and M. P. Bunds, 2000, Tectonics and
fluid pressure distribution in a deformed forearc basin, Cook
Inlet, Alaska: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 112,
no. 4, p. 550563.
Calderwood, K. W., and W. C. Fackler, 1972, Proposed stratigraphic
nomenclature for Keni Group, Cook Inlet Basin, Alaska: AAPG
Bulletin, v. 56, p. 739754.
Claypool, G. E., C. N. Threlkeld, and L. B. Magoon, 1980, Biogenic
and thermogenic origins of natural gas in Cook Inlet Basin,
Alaska: AAPG Bulletin, v. 64, no. 8, p. 11311139.
Dallegge, T. A., and C. E. Barker, 2000, A potential method for
assessing coalbed methane resources using high-resolution
chronostratigraphy, vitrinite reflectance, and burial history
modeling, Cook Inlet, Alaska, in C. E. Barker, J. C. Clough, and
T. A. Dallegge, comps., Coalbed methane prospects of the up-
per Cook Inlet: 2000 Petroleum Technology Transfer Council,
Alaska Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Geological
Survey Opportunities in Alaska Coalbed and Shallow Gas Re-
sources Workshop, Field Trip Guidebook, p. 314.
Flores, R. M., G. D. Stricker, and R. B. Stiles, 1997, Tidal influence
on deposition and quality of coals in the Miocene Tyonek For-
mation, Beluga coal field, upper Cook Inlet, Alaska, in J. A.
Dumoulin and J. E. Gray, eds., Geologic studies in Alaska by
the U.S. Geological Survey, 1995: U.S. Geological Survey Pro-
fessional Paper 1574, p. 137156.
Flores, R. M., M. D. Myers, G. D. Stricker, and J. A. Houle, 1999,
Core lithofacies analysis and fluvio-tidal environments in the
AK 94 CBM-1 well, near Wasilla, Alaska: Geologic Studies in
Alaska by the U.S. Geological Survey, 1997: U.S. Geological
Survey Professional Paper 1614, p. 5772.
Gas Technology Institute (GTI), 2001, North American coalbed
methane resource map: Des Plaines, Illinois, Gas Technology
Institute, scale 1:5,000,000, 1 sheet.
Haeussler, P. J., R. L. Bruhn, and T. L. Pratt, 2000, Potential seismic
hazards and tectonics of the upper Cook Inlet Basin, Alaska,
based on analysis of Pliocene and younger deformation: Geo-
logical Society of America Bulletin, v. 112, no. 9, p. 14141429.
Hayes, J. M, J. C. Harms, and T. Wilson Jr., 1976, Contrasts between
braided and meandering stream deposits, Beluga and Sterling
formations (Tertiary), Cook Inlet, Alaska, in T. P. Miller, ed.,
Search Results Contents
Recent and ancient sedimentary environments in Alaska: Alaska
Geological Society, p. J1J27.
Kremer, M. C., and G. Stadnicky, 1985, Tertiary stratigraphy of the
Kenai PeninsulaCook Inlet region, in A. Sisson, ed., Guide to
the geology of the Kenai Peninsula: Alaska Geological Society,
p. 2442.
Magoon, L. B., 1994, Tuxedni-Hemlock(!) petroleum system in
Cook Inlet, Alaska, U.S.A., in L. B. Magoon and W. G. Dow,
eds., The petroleum systemfrom source to trap: AAPG Mem-
oir 60, p. 359370.
Magoon, L. B., and D. E. Anders, 1992, Oil-to-source rock correla-
tion using carbon-isotopic data and biological marker com-
pounds, Cook InletAlaska Peninsula, Alaska, in J. M. Mol-
dowan, P. Albrecht, and R. P. Philp, eds., Biological markers in
sediments and petroleum: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, Pren-
tice-Hall, p. 241274.
Magoon, L. B., and G. E. Claypool, 1981, Petroleum geology of Cook
Inlet Basin, Alaskaan exploration model: AAPG Bulletin,
v. 65, p. 10431061.
Magoon, L. B., and C. E. Kirschner, 1990, Alaska onshore national
assessment programgeology and petroleum resource poten-
tial of six onshore Alaska provinces: U.S. Geological Survey
Open-File Report 88-450T, 47 p.
Merritt, R. D., and M. A. Belowich, 1984, Coal geology and re-
sources of the Matanuska Valley, Alaska: Alaska Division of
Geological and Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigations
84-24, scale 1:1,000,000, 3 sheets, 64 p.
Merritt, R. D., and C. C. Hawley, comps., 1986, Map of Alaskas
coal resources: Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical
Surveys Special Report 37, scale: 1:2,500,000, 1 sheet.
Nelson, C. R., 1999, Advances in coalbed reservoir gas-in-place anal-
ysis: Gas Research Institute, Gas Tips, v. 5, p. 1419.
Nokelberg, W. J., G. Plafker, and F. H. Wilson, 1994, Geology of
south-central Alaska, in G. Plafker and H. C. Berg, eds., The
geology of North America: the geology of Alaska: Boulder, Col-
orado, Geological Society of America, v. G-1, p. 311366.
Plafker, G., J. C. Moore, and G. R. Winkler, 1994, Geology of the
southern Alaska margin, in G. Plafker and H. C. Berg, eds., The
geology of North America: the geology of Alaska: Boulder, Col-
orado, Geological Society of America, v. G-1, p. 389449.
Potential Gas Committee, 2001, Potential supply of natural gas in
the United States: Golden, Colorado, Colorado School of
Mines, Potential Gas Committee Report, 346 p.
Rawlinson, S. E., 1984, Environments of deposition, paleocurrents,
and provenance of Tertiary deposits along Kachemak Bay, Ke-
nai Peninsula, Alaska: Sedimentary Geology, v. 38, p. 421442.
Seamount, D. T., R. Cross, and G. Buck, 1997, Geologic and engi-
neering report to accompany application for approval for uni-
tization of the Pioneer Unit, State of Alaska, December 10,
1997: State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Di-
vision of Oil and Gas, 47 p.
Smith, T. N., 1995, Coalbed methane potential for Alaska and drill-
ing results for the upper Cook Inlet Basin: Proceedings of the
1995 Unconventional Gas Symposium, p. 121.
Stricker, G. D., 1991, Economic Alaskan coal deposits, in H. J. Glus-
koter, D. D. Rice, and R. B. Taylor, eds., The geology of North
America: economic geology: Boulder, Colorado, Geological So-
ciety of America, v. P-2, p. 591602.
Swenson, R. F., 1997, Introduction to Tertiary tectonics and sedi-
mentation in the Cook Inlet Basin, in N. R. Karl-Vaughn and
T. J. Ryherd, eds., Guide to the geology of the Kenai Peninsula,
Alaska: Geological Society of Alaska, p. 1827.
Wahrhaftig, C., S. Bartsch-Winkler, and G. D. Stricker, 1994, Coal
in Alaska, in G. Plafker and H. C. Berg, eds., The geology of
North America: the geology of Alaska: Boulder, Colorado, Geo-
logical Society of America, v. G-1, p. 937978.
Montgomery and Barker 13