Relations of Gas Occurrence to Geologic Parameters in Eastern Kentucky Gas Fields: ABSTRACT

Abstract

A study of initial open-flow gas data from 4,750 wells in eastern Kentucky gas fields relates gas occurrence to geologic parameters including structural/stratigraphic sections, lithology, and geochemistry. Approximately 300 formation density logs are used for stratigraphic correlation, reinforced by data from two cored wells and cuttings from 11 wells in this 3,000-sq-mi (7,800 sq km), 10-county study area known historically as the Big Sandy field. This field has produced for over 50 years. Trend traces of initial open-flow data are interpreted as zones of more intense fracturing and show four preferential directional trends. The gentle anticlinal structure in the northern part of the field, which may be an extension of the Paint Creek uplift, broadens to the south and bifurcates. Small faults are identified southwest of the main field and the Rome trough crosses the northern part of the field. The 100-ft/mi southeast dip of the basement rocks is subdued to 30 to 50 ft/mi in the producing Devonian shale sequence which thickens by an order of magnitude into the basin to the northeast. End_of_Article - Last_Page 502------------