Use of Pre-existing Coal Mine Maps and Drill Holes for Coal Bed
Methane
Exploration
Paul R. Coyle1, and Brianne M. Cassidy1
1National Mine Map Repository, Office of Surface Mining, Pittsburgh, PA 15220
Coal seams in the eastern United States have become a target for coal bed
methane (CBM) exploration. CBM has recently been recognized as a viable source
of energy. CBM is bonded to coal and emitted from both active and abandoned
mines. Coal seams and mines are found throughout the Appalachian Basin, where a
long history of mining provides a wealth of geological information. The use of
pre-existing mine map and drill-hole data allows for quick means of ascertaining
information for CBM exploration. The Office of Surface Mining’s National Mine
Map Repository is a national clearinghouse for coal mine maps for the entire
United States. While this repository is not complete, data available from more
than 300,000 mine maps may include: 1) coal seam elevation,
2) coal thickness, 3) coal analysis, 4) structure, 5) location of mining, 6) stratigraphy,
7) coal rank, 8) property ownership, 9) the location of exploration drill-holes and gas wells, and the 10) location of mines. Drill-hole logs and other coal data useful for finding CBM locations, boundaries, and quality are generally obtainable from the various state geological or economic surveys.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90059©2006 AAPG Eastern Section Meeting, Buffalo, New York