Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations/l983 

Problems Facing Coal Mining and Gas 

Production in the Hartshorne Coalbeds 

of the Western Arkoma Basin, OK 

By A. T. lannacchione, C. A. Kertis, 0. W. Houseknecht, 

and J. H. Perry 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

James G. Watt, Secretary 

BUREAU OF MINES 

Robert C. Horton, Director 
1. Coal mines and mining-Arkoma Hasin (Ark. and Okla.). 2. Gas, 

Natural-Arkoma Rasin (Ark. and Okia.). 3. Coal mines and miningOklahoma. 4. Gas, Natural-Oklahoma. I. Iannaccl~ione, Anthony ?'. 

11, Title: Hartshorne coalbeds in the U'escern Arkoma Basin, OK. 111. 

Series: Kcport of. investigations (United States. Bureau of Mines) : 

TN23.U43 [T1\;805.A5] 622s r553.2'4'0976661 83-600035 

For sale by the Sul,erintendcnt of I)rrcuments, U.S. Government Pri~iti~~~ Officc 

U'ashington , 1).C. 20402 
CONTENTS 

Page 

Abstract ................................................................... Introduction ............................................................... Acknowledgments ............................................................ Thickness and areal extent of the Hartshorne Coalbeds ...................... Use of gas well data to identify occurrence of Hartshorne Coalbeds .... Influence of depositional environments on thickness of the Hartshorne 

Coalbeds ............................................................ Methane content of the Hartshorne Coalbeds ................................. Variation of methane content with overburden and rank ................. Estimates of methane resources of the Hartshorne Coalbeds ............. Occurrence of natural gas in the Hartshorne Formation ...................... Location of natural gas fields ........................................ Characteristics of coalbed and sandstone natural gas .................. Use of gas composition data to identify legal and technological problems in underground and surface methane drainage projects ........... Influence of geologic structures on development of deep mines and placement 

of coalbed methane drainage wells ........................................ Structural setting .................................................... Effects of folding on mine planning and development. mining systems. 

and methane drainage programs ....................................... Effects of faulting on mine planning and development. mining systems. 

and methane drainage program ....................................... Summary and conclusions .................................................... References ................................................................. Appendix.--Application of Kim's model to the Hartshorne Coalbeds ........... 

Location of study area ................................................ Isopacll map of Hartshorne (urldivided) and Lower Hartshorne Coalbeds ... Isopach map of Upper Hartshorne Coalbed ............................... Location of gas wells. with available geophysicdl well log data. that 

penetrate the Hartshortie Forrnatio~i .................................. Generalized stratigraphic cross section of the Hartshorne Formation. 

western Arkoma Basin ................................................ Lower Hartshorne Sands tone regional isoli t 11 map ....................... Example of depositional environment and lit-hology identification from 

geophysical log responses ........................................... Northwest to southeast stratigraphic cross section A-A' through the 

northern portion of the study area .................................. 

9 . Northwest to southeast stratigraphic cross section B-B' through the 

central portion of the study area ................................... 

10 . Northwest to southeast stratigraphic cross section C-C' through the 

southern portion of the study area .................................. 

11 . Location of stratigraphic cross sections .............................. 12 . Upper Hartshorne Sandstone regional isolitl~ map ....................... 13 . Isolith map of Lower Hartshorne Sandstone ............................. 14 . Isolith map of the Upper Hartshorne Sandstone ......................... 15 . Location of Hartshorne coal-core desorption samples ................... 16 . Kegional rank map of Hartshorne Coalbeds .............................. 

2 

Envelope 

Envelope 

Envelope 

Follows 

page 6 

Follows 

page 6 

Follows 

page 6 

6 

7 

Envelope 

Envelope 

8 

9 
ILLUSTRATIONS--Continued 

-- Page 

Relationship of Hartshorne coal overburden, rank, and methane content. 10 

Overburden above the Hartshorne Coalbeds.............................. Envelope 

Changes in estimated and observed methane contents versEs depth for 

low-volatile bituminous Hartshorne coal...............aam.Daaa...ama 11 

Changes in estimated and observed methane contents versus depth for 

high-volatile A bituminous Hartshorne coa1.......................... 12 

Location of natural gas fields in Hartshorne sandstone^........,...^.. 15 

Hartshorne Coalbed gas samples.,. ..................................... 16 

Hartshorne Sandstone gas samples.......,....m.a.a..aaaaaaaa.COmaaa.mma 1. 6 

Structural contour map of the Hartshorne coal bed^................^.... Envelope 

Physiographic province map for western Oklahoma and eastern Arkansas.. 19 

Local structure contour map of Hartshorne CoaPbeds,..........a.m....Y. 20 

Effects of variability in folding and faulting on drilling methane 

drainage syste~..............a.ma...am.~.......mam...m..maaaamm.aaa 21 

TABLES 

1. Economic resource estimates for the Hartshorne Coalbeds.........,..... 

2. Hartshorne coal-core desorption analysis .............................. 3. Gas pressures from various coalbeds in the United States.............. 

4. Methane resources at various overburdens..........ma......m~aa~.ma.m.. 

5. Hartshorne Sandstone natural gas analysis ............................. 6. Hartshorne Coalbeds gas analysis. ..................................... 

UNIT OF MEASUE ABBREVIATIONS IJSLD TN 

centimeter in 

cubic centimeter per gram rn3 

foot m3 /d 

cubic foot md 

cubic foot per day nli 

cubic foot per ton (short) Pa 

gallon 

inch 

kilometer 

liter 

pct 

t 

'I'H T S KKPOK'I' 

meter 

cubic meter 

cubic meter per day 

~ni i lidarcy 

mi le 

Pascal 

percent 

metric ton 

ton (short) 

year 
PROBLEMS FACING COAL MINING AND GAS PRODUCTION IN THE HARTSHORNE 

COALBEDS OF THE WESTERN ARKOMA BASIN, OK 

By A, T. iannacchione, C. A. Kertis, Dm W. ~ouseknecht,~ and J. Ha perry3 

ABSTRACT 

Major problems facing the development of coal and gas resources of the 

Hartshorne Coalbeds include the complex distribution of minable and unminable coal, high methane content and bed pressure, faulting, variations in degree of dip, presence of natural gas fields in associated 

sandstones, and legal problems, caused by local geologic characteristics, in identifying gas origin. This Bureau of Mines study provides 

pertinent geologic information for long-range planning of subsurface 

coal and gas production from the Hartshorne Coalbeds. 

Pittsburg, Coal, Hughes, and Atoka Counties, OK, have approximately 

1 billion metric tons (1.1 billion short tons) of Hartshorne coal in 

place. The methane resource of Hartshorne Coalbeds is estimated at 9.2 

billion m3 (325 billion ft3) and varies with overburden and rank, These 

estimates were compiled from gas well density logs, coal-core data, outcrop measurements, abandoned mine maps, and the literature. 

The Hartshorne Coalbeds represent a valuable coal and gas resource 

which at present is contributing nothing to coal and gas production. 

This report discusses potential problems and serves as a reference for 

future exploration and development work. Kecognition of these potential 

geologically related problems prior to development of this basin will 

reduce hazards and allow for an economic recovery of these resources. 

------ -- - - - 

'~eologist, Pittsburgh Research Center, Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA. 

*~eologist (faculty member), Pittsburgh Research Center, Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA. 

3~ining engineer, Resource Enterprises, Salt Lake City, UT. 
INTRODUCTION 

The Hartshorne Coalbeds of the western 

Arkoma Basin (fig. 1) contain some of the 

better quality metallurgical and steam 

coals found west of the Mississippi River. These cualbeds were nined extensively along outcrops from the 1870's to the 

early 1950's. In 1915, 100 pct of the 

mining was done by underground methods. 

This percentage has decreased stezdily 

through the years to zero 5y 1970, Recent attempts to mine the Hartshorne 

Coalbeds, such as the Howe, Evans Experimental, and Choctaw Mines, have all 

failed after initial development. Excessive methane emissions, steeply dipping 

beds, variable overburdens [I) to 1,220 rn 

(0 to 4,000 ft)], discontinuities of coal 

from faults and "wants" (wants indicate a 

Pack of minable thickness), and poor 

roof-rock stability have all comhiried to 

threaten the safety of miners and to hinder coal production. 

Methane gas production has been demonstrated at two locations in the basin and 

shows great potential even though the 

Hartshorne Coalbeds are known to have 

generally iow perneability. Kissell 

1 New Mexico 

N J - - --- - - -- 

Texas 

/ Sequoyah 7 Pittsburg 

2 Muskogee 8 Hughes 

3 Le Flsre 9 Atoka 

4 H~skell 10 Coal 

5 Mclntosh /! Pontot~c 

6 Latimer 

Location of townships and 

comprising the study area 

(22)4 indicated permeability ranges of 

0x8 to 2.0 md from nine horizontal 

holes 18 to 34 m (60 to 110 ft) long at 

the IIowe No. 1 Mine in Le Flore County, 

OK. Thissame minewas thesiteof a 

five-hole vertical aethane drainage project. Production from the pattern totaled 

141,500 m3 (5 million ft3) of methane gas 

and 382,000 L (101,000 gal) of water over 

a 3-yr period (7). The depth of these 

holes ranged from 152 m (500 ft) to 183 m 

(600 ft). One hole in this pattern was 

stimulated and showed an eightfold increase in methane product ion. 

Kerr-McGee drained methane from the 

Hartshorne Coalbeds at its Choctaw Mine 

from 1976 to 1979. A number of horizontal boreholes 60 to 750 m (200 to 

2,500 ft) long were drilled into the 

coalbed. Gas production from these holes 

reached a high of 28,000 m3/d (1 million 

ft3/d) in 1977 and decreased to approximately 11,000 m3/d (400,000 ft3/d) in 

- 

4~nderlined numbers in parentheses refer to items in the list of references 

preceding the appendix. 

Kansas - - -- .-.. - -.-- - ------ 

Missouri I 

0 kla homa 

ranges /lfJ \ ,-s--\ '4 I 

Texas I 

-- -- County line, loca9ion of counties where 

Hartshorne Formation is present 

0 50 km 

Scole I--&, *-- State line 

Arkansas 

F!GURE 1: - L.ocot:on of study orco; portiorls of Pittsburg, Cod. Hughes, and Atoko Counties,, OK. 
mid-1978 (30). Information from these 

two demonstration projects, together with 

methane content and coal thickness data 

from this report, shows an excellent potential for gas production from Hartshorne Coalbeds. 

It is expected that the collection, examination, and distribution of data concerned with mining and methane drainage 

of the Hartshorne Coalbeds will increase 

interest and aid in planning safer, more 

efficient operations. Geologic maps, 

coal-core desorption data, physical and 

chemical gas composition data, and discussions of methane drainage technologies 

are presented herein to provide a basis 

for understanding fundamental factors 

controlling mining and gas production 

from the Hartshorne Coalbeds of the western Arkoma Basin. 

Special cooperation in data collection Research Triangle Institute, Raleign, NC, 

was provided by the coal and gas opera- for his input in the statistical intertors of the Arkoma Basin. The authors pretation of the data. 

also wish to thank V. G. Iannacchione of 

THICKNESS AND AREAL EXTENT OF THE HARTSHORNE COALBEDS 

An accurate estimate of total coal in 

place in the western Arkom Basin has 

been difficult to make because of the 

lack of borehole data and poor outcrop 

exposure. To compensate for this lack 

of information, readily available density logs from numerous gas wells have 

been conservatively evaluated to estimate coal thickness. The resources 

of Hartshorne Coalbeds [greater than 

36 cm (14 in) thick and less than 914 m 

(3,000 ft) deep] have been calculated 

to be approximately 1 billion t (1.1 billion T). Approximately 900 million t 

(1 billion T) of the resources is contained in Hartshorne Coalbeds greater 

than 71 cm (28 in) thick. This estimate 

does not include approximately 27 million t (30 million T) of coal already 

mined. Using coal-core, outcrop, and 

mine data, Friedman (10) previously set 

an estimate of coal resources for Pittsburgh, Coal, and Atoka Counties at 566 

million t (624 million T). 

USE OF GAS WELL DATA TO IDENTIFY 

OCCURRENCE OF HARTSHORNE COALBEDS 

The Bureau has attempted to estimate 

tonnage of minable coal in place so that 

methane resources can be calculated for 

deep mining and degasification projects. 

Until recently, exploration coal-core 

drilling has occurred almost exclusively 

within 2 km (1.25 mi) of the outcrop of 

the Hartshorne Formation. For the most 

part, coalbed resources greater than 2 km 

(1.2 mi) from outcrop and greater than 

300 m (1,000 ft) deep have been considered unknown. However, in the next few 

decades coal mining will probably occur 

at depths approaching 900 m (3,000 ft). 

Isopach maps of the Hartshorne Coalbeds 

[figs. 2 and 3 (envelope)] have been prepared from approximately 138 density logs 

from the more than 400 electric logs examined [fig. 4 (envelope) ] , maps from 34 

abandoned coal mines, 5 coal-core logs, 

and outcrop data from published reports 

(4, 8-10, 12, 25, 28). It is not the - -- - - purpose of this report to develop coal 

resource data, however, the U.S. Bureau 

of Mines and U.S. Geological Survey method (32) - is used for calculating coal in 

place. Coal estimates are based on centers of circles with radii of 3 km (2 mi) 

from a borehole. Estimates of economic 

thicknesses are based on thicknesses 

greater than 71 cm (28 in). Table 1 contains a list of the economic resource estimates for the Hartshorne Coalbeds. The 

overall great depth of the coal is evident from these data because approximately 500 million t (550 million T) of coal, 

or over 50 pct of the remaining resources, occur at depths of 600 to 900 m 

(2,000 to 3,000 ft). 
TABLE 1. - Economic resource estimates for the fiartshorne 

Coalbeds [>71 cffi 028 in)], million metric tolls 

Over burden, rn 1 Undivided 

610 to 914... 

Total..... 1 ;is 

---- . --- .---- 

-~wPortion of 

INFLUENCE OF DEPOSITIONAI, EWIROhT.lE:1JTS 

ON THICKNESS OF THE HARTSHOKNE COALBEDS 

The depositional environments of the 

Hartshorne Coalbeds have inf iuenced the 

thickness and areal extent of minable 

coal resources. Yithin the study area, 

the Hartshorne Formation has been subdivided (informally) by McDaniel (24) into a lower sands tone and coalbed member, 

reprpsents widespread prodt:l ta and deltafront shale and sandstone facie5 capped 

by thick [30 m (91 ft)], linear [Z-4 km 

(1-2 mi) wide, 48-64 km (30-10 mi) long] 

dis tri butary channel sands tone facies 

which interfinger Lateral-ly wl ti1 thinner 

i nt-erdistributary bay facies (fig. 6). 

Paleocul-rent <inalysc_js indicate that the 

direction of sediment- transport in the 

delta corn~)lex w,4s f ran east to sout hwes t 

and upper sands tone and coalbed member ( 15). 

-*- 

(fig. 5). The Lower Hartshorne member 

- Unnamedcou l bed 

Upper 

Hclrtshorne -- 

Cool bed 

\ Lober 

ji~khorne 

Qwled --b 

FIGIIRF 7 General~zed strat~~ra~h~c cross soct~o;i of the H:J, t5ilc,ti1~: Fo~I!~u~IL'~~, :vestern Atkoma 

Bas~r;. 
< 

4 ; 

'. 

-- 

Garnmo ray' 

KEY 

Cool 

Sandstone 

Shale 

~ltstcrne 

ti. 7). SIatiraphic cioss sections 

I ( f i KF . 8-10) were const rurt ed from gamma - - --- --l 

I ray, spontaneous potential. and resistiv- 

_< -I it v Logs. Tlie locat i-nris ot' these cross 

j sec-tions are shown in f i ellre 11. Cross 

scrtions are ~011siri~ct~:I r3c.1 pendicular to 

i the trend of the Lineal- "shoestring" dis- 

'\ tributary channel silndsf c,rlps. Hl~ik 

40 I?,+{ 

3 The enti re Hart shor~le Formation thick- 

< ens from northwest to soutl~~ast across 

i the study area as indicated by the cross 

sec:ions (figs. 8-10). The Hartshorne 

Coal b~d splits along this trend into an 

upper and lower coalbed. Four major 

channel deposits were recognized in the 

Lower Ilartshorne member and one major 

channel deposit in the Upper Hartshorne 

member. The. percentage of sandstone in 

the Tower tiartshorne member increases to 

the sor~tlieast. In contrast, the Upper 

FIGURE 1. - Exatnp!e of ti~~o~111011ril eriv~rc~~ HarLshorrie member contai 11s j ts greatest perceatage of sandstorle directly to the 

merit and I~tliolo~~ ~der~tlf~rotlo~~ froiil qecp\~y<~ soctheast of the coal-s~l ii line in the 

COI log resrol~~~‘~. c.ek~:er oT the basin (fig. 1;). 
FIGURE 8. - Northwest to southeast stratigr
FIGURE 9. - Northwest to southeast stratigrap
FIGURE 10. - Northwest to southeast stratigraphic cross section C-C' through the southern portion of the study area. 
Scale 

FIGURE 11. - Location of stratigraphic cross sections. 

These distributary channel deposits 

directly affect the thickness and areal 

extent of the Hartshorne Coalbeds. 

Areas of thick Lower Hartshorne Sandstone 

[fig, 13 (envelope)] coincide with areas 

of thin or absent Hartshorne (undivided) 

and Lower Hartshorne coal (fig. 3). 

Similarly, areas of thick Upper Hartshorne Sandstone [fig. 14 (envelope)] coincide with areas of thin or absent Upper 

Hartshorne coal (fig. 4). Generally, 

wherever the sandstone is more than 20 m 

(61 ft) thick, the overlying coalbed is 

too thin to mine economically. This association of thick sandstone with thin 

overlying coal suggests that sand bodies 

acted as topographic highs upon which 

thick peat could not accumulate in Hartshorne coal swamps (14). - 

Additionally, areas of thick Upper 

Hartshorne Sands tone (fig. 14) commonly 

coincide with areas of thin or absent 

Lower Hartshorne coal (fig. 3). Houseknecht and Iannacchione (14) have suggested that the lower 1 or more 

likely its peat precursor, was eroded 

by distributary channel processes prior 

to deposition of the thick upper sand. 

Because of these relationships, areas 

with few density logs associated with 

thick sandstone [20 m (61 ft)] were considered to have uneconomic thicknesses of 

coal. 
are among the most gassy coalbeds in the 

United States. Investigation of inethane 

content aids in establishing ttic safety 

hazards for future underground mines and 

also delineates the potential for a profitable energy resource. Thick overburden [0 to 1,500 m (0 to 460 ft)] and 

relatively high rank (high-volatile C to 

high-volatile A bituminous) are the two 

most significant factors affecting high 

methane content. Methan? resources were 

estimated by calculating the amount of 

coal in place at various overburden intervals and multiplying this figure by 

the estimated methane content. 

VARIATION OF METHANE CONTENT WITH 

OVEKBURDEN AND KANK 

Hartshorne coal-core desorption samples 

(table 2) were coilected throughout the 

Oklahoma portion of the Arkoma Basin 

(fig. 15). Depths of samples ranged from 

varied from highvolatile C to low

volatile bituminous from west to east 

across the Oklahoma portion of the basin 

(fig. 16). The mezhane coiltent of each 

sample was determined 7lsir:g the Bureau of 

Miries direct method test as described by 

Diamond and Levine (5). Gas content of 

the samples ranges fFom 2.5 to 17.5 cm3/g 

(80 to 560 ft3:~). The relationship 

among overburden, rank, and methane content is shown graphically in figure 17. 

Large variations in overburden [fig. 18 

(enveiope)] and rank (fig. 16) indicate a 

need to estimat-e methane content for separate overburden intervals of different rank coals. Methane content has 

 bee:^ observed to increase exponentially 

with increasing overburden (2). Rank 

also influences methane content. The 

amount of methane evolved during coalification and the ability of coal to store 

methane increases as rank increases 
TABLE 2. - Hartshorne coal-core desorption analysis 

Lower.. .. Undivided 

.. .do. ..a 

.. .do. ... ... do. a*. 

.. .do. ... .. .do. ... .. .do. ... .a .do. a*. 

.. .do. ... ... do. a*. 

... do. ..a 

7 Lower.. .. • ..do. .a. 

Upper. ... Lower.. .. .. .do. ..a 

Upper. ... 

Le Flore. 

.doe 

.. .do.. .. .doe e 

.. .do. ... .. .do. ... .. .do. ... .. .do. ... .. .do. a*. 

... do. .a. 

Haskell.. 

Le Flore. 

. .do . . . .. .do. ..a 

*doe 

.. .do. .a. 

ma. do. ... Pittsburg 

Sample 

'LVB, low-volatile bituminous coal; MV 

Coalbed County 

Township 

and range 

minous coal; HVAB, high-volatile A bituminous coal. 

~ank 1 

LVB 

LVB 

LVB 

LVB 

1 LVB 

LVB 

LVB 

Depth, 

m 

97 

149 

157 

171 

174 

149 

77 

278 

Scale 

Methane 

content, 

cm3/g 

8.7 

11.2 

11.8 

11.5 

11.8 

10.9 

5.7 

8.3 ~HVAB 

FIGURE 15. - Locat ion of Hartshorne coa I-core desorption samples. 

53 

169 

109 

395 

439 

169 

272 

251 

60 

236 

, medium-volatile bitu2.5 , LVB 

10.9 ' LVB 

10.8 

17.5 

16.7 

265 1 9.0 

LVB 

MVB 

LVB 

HVAB 

13.1 L'v'ii 

16.8 1 LVB 

15.5 LVB 

9.7 

11.7 

LVB 

LVB 
(29, 32). These phenomena have been 

observa in this study. Five desorption samples (14-15, 17-19; table 2) of 

various ranks collected from depths ranging froin 236 to 278 m (775 to 913 ft) 

have a methane contect from 8.3 to 16.8 

cm3/g (237 to 538 ft3/~). The two highvolatile A bituminous samples (18-19; table 2) have an average methane content of 

8.7 cm3/~), while the three low-volatile 

bituminous samples (14-15, 17; table 2) 

have a much higher average of 14.7 cm3/g 

(470 ft3/~). 

An estimate of the change in methane 

content versus depth must be made on 

coals of specific rank. Inclusion of all 

the data in table 2, then, would be inappropriate to estimate methane content 

for coal of several different ranks. 

Sixteen desorption samples were from coal 

of low-volatile rank, one from mediumvolatile rank, and two from high-volatile 

A bituminous rank. Actual data were 

adequate to estimate methane content of 

the low-volatile bituminous coals. Because there were only two samples of 

high-volatile A bituminous coal, a model 

was used to estimate methane content of 

the high-volatile A bituminous rank coal 

in the study area. 

Kim (21) developed a general model to 

estimate the methane content, which 

includes corrections for moisture, ash, 

and rank as a function of depth (appendix). The reliability of using this 

model to estimate the methane content of 

the Hartshorne Coalbeds was statistically 

evaluated using the 16 low-volatile bituminous desorption samples. Because the 

average difference between these desorption samples and Kim's estimates was 

statistically insignificant (level of 

significance is 0.61), the model was 

assumed to be an unbiased estimator of 

methane content. The model explained 

slightly more than 60 pct of the total 
DEPTH, ft 

I 6? 500 1,000 

DEPTH, m 

14 

0 2 

E 

0 

+- 10- 

z 

w 

--II --- 

2- /-- 

/# 

~~95 pct lower confidence level 

I 0 1) I I I I 1 I 

FIGURE 20. - Changes in estimated and observed methane contents versus depth for high-volatile A 

100 

bituminous Hartshorne cool, 

I I 1 

- 500 

0- 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 

ESTIMATES OF tETHANE RESOURCES in depth], Areas of coal with overburOF THE HARTSHORNE COALBEDS dens greater than this are not considered 

potential mining sites. Table 4 lists 

- 

95 pct upper confidence level ---- -Me12- /A-H - +/-- 

/# 

70bserved 7 

8- 

o 

The Hartshorne Coalbeds of Pittsburg, the methane potential for Hartshorne 

Coal, Hughes, and Atoka Counties are Coalbeds at various overburden intervals 

estimated to contain 9.2 billion m3 within the study area. The most notable 

(325 billion ft3) of methane. This is aspect of table 4 is that 62 pct [5.8 

a conservative estimate because it in- billion m3 (201 billion ft3)] of the tocludes only coal of minable thickness tal resources occur between 600 to 900 m 

[>71 cm 028 in) and (900 m ((3,000 ft) (2,000 to 3,000 ft). 

400 , 

't 

+- 

Z 

300 

Z 

8 

W 

TABLE 4. - Methane resources at various overburdens, Hartshorne Coalbeds 

0.269 1 200 z 

Estimated (;I= -0.785 - 0.001 h 4.962 h I- x 

w h-Depth, m w 2 

cm3/g 

0 to 305............. 7.1 0 0.4 0.7 1.1 

305 to 610........... 9.8 . 9 . 7 .7 2.3 

610 to 914........... 11.3 2.0 2.1 1.7 5.8 

Total or average.. 9.4 2.9 3.2 3.1 9.2 

Overburden, m 

source, pct 

12 

26 

62 

100 

Methane 

content, 1 

Estimated resource, billion m3 

Undivided I Upper / Lower I Total 

Portion of 

total re- 
DEPTH, ft 

0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 

2o 17- 1 1 I I I I1 

+ Low-volatile bituminous coal 

Medium-volatile bituminous coal 

A High-volatile A bituminous coal 

0 1 1 1 1 1 I 

100 200 300 400 500 

DEPTH, m 

FIGURE 17. - Relationship of Hartshorne coal overburden, rank, and methane content. 

variance in the observed methane con- variance that was found between the estitents, The remaining unexplained vari- mated and observed low-volatile bitumiance was graphically depicted in the con.- nol.is coal desorption samples, It should 

fidence interval shown in figure 19. 

This confidence interval estimates the 

precision of the model because, over repeated samples, it will include the true 

methane content 95 pct of the time. 

The availability of only two highvolatile A bituminous desorption samples 

precluded direct comparison of observed 

and estimated data. This prevented the 

use of statistical analysis to determine 

the reliability of Kim's model directly 

for high-volatile bituminous Hartshorne 

coal. Figure 20 shows the relationship 

between the observed and estimated gas 

contents of high-volatile A bituminous 

Hartshorne coal. The confidence intervals shown in figure 20 are based on the 

be noted here that Kim recognized that 

values calculated from the model were 

consistently high for several observed 

high-volatile bituminous coals from basins within the United States where the 

pressure is known to be less than hydrostatic (21), The Arkoma basin is not 

one of these low hydrostatic pressure 

basins. Kissell (22) has shown the Hartshorne is comparxle to nigh-pressure 

coalbeds like the Mary Lee and Pocahontas 

(table 3). Therefore, Kim's model should 

not overestimate the methane content for 

the high-volatile bituminous Hartshorne 

coals. For these reasons it is felt that 

Kim's model has allowed for the most accurate estimate available, 
TABLE 3. - Gas pressures from various coalbeds in the United States (21) - 

FIGURE 19. - Changes in estimated and observed methane contents versus depth for lowvolatile bituminous Hartshorne coal. 

Coalbed 

Pittsburgh... ........... DO.................... 

DO.................... 

Lower Hartshorne........ 

DO.................... 

Pocahontas No. 3........ 

Do.................... 

Mary Lee................ 

Castlegate Subseam No. 3 

Illinois No. 6.......... 

Location, county 

and State 

Marion, WV.......... 

Monongalia, WV....., 

Washington, PA...... 

Le Flore, OK........ 

Haskell, OK......... 

Wyoming, WV......... 

Buchanan, VA........ 

Jefferson, AL....... 

Carbon, UT.......... 

Jefferson, IL....... 

Measured 

pressure, 

Pa 

1,158 

1,724 

1,007 

1,744 

4,620 

1,089 

3,999 

2,730 

1,834 

827 

Depth of base 

of coal, m 

283 

244 

137 

174 

430 

233 

43 1 

320 

299 

224 
The estimated methane resources of 9.2 

billion m3 (325 billion ft3) represent 

only one-fourth of the total estimated 

methane resource for Le FLore and liaskell 

Counties, OK (18). The considerable difference in resource estimations is probably due to the following: 

1. Conservative thickness estimation 

from density logs in the western portion 

of the Arkoma Basin compared with more 

accurate coal-core thickness data in the 

eastern portion of the Arkoma Basin. 

OCCUKKENCE OF L\tATUW GAS 

Previous sections have provided data 

establishing the high methane content of 

the Hartsherne Coalbeds and indicate a 

potential for hazardous methane emissions 

in underground workings and a potential 

for commercial gas production. Complicating the emissions and production problems are the closely associated natural 

gas fields in the liartshorne Sands tones 

(17). In this section, the location 

of gas fields in the Hartshorne Sandstones will be discussed, the siuilarities and differences between coalbed gas 

and natural gas will be characterized, 

the possibility of communication between 

these two reservoir rocks will be investigated, and the adverse effects these 

gas fields will have on underground methane drainage techniques and placement of 

vertical methane drainage welis will be 

determined. 

LOCATION UP NATUW GAS FIELDS 

The Harts horne Sands tone of Oklahoma 

has been producing commercial quantities 

of natural gas since the early 1900's. 

The Poteau-Gilmore and Cameron gas fields 

were among the first gas fields discovered in Oklahoma. In the early 1930's 

the Quinton gas field became a prolific 

producer. The Ashland, South Pine Hollow, and Centrahoma gas tields became 

more prominent in the late 1960's and 

early 1970's. The locations of these gas 

fields are shown in figure 21. Plost of 

these gas fields are located along thick 

trends of Upper and/or Lower Hartshorne 

Sandstone. Thick Upper Hartshorne Sandstone occurs within the Cameron gas 

field. Thick Lower Hartshorne Sandstone 

2. At similar depths, high-volatile 

bituminous coals of the western portion 

of the basin have approximately 3 to 

5 cm3/g (96 to 160 ft3/T) less methane 

than low-volatile bituminous coals of the 

eastern portion of the basin. 

3. The Hartsh~rne coal in approximately one-half of the study area in the 

western portion of the basin is at depths 

greater than 900 m (3,000 ft), and has 

not been included in this estimate. 

I!i THE HAKTSEOEWE FOEU.lATION 

is associated with the Poteau-Gilmore, 

Quinton, Carney, Featherston-Blocker, and 

Centrar~oma gas fields. In the Red OakNorris, South Pine Hollow, and Ashland 

gas fields, production has occurred from 

both Upper and Lower ~artshorne Sandstones. b!ost of the Hartst~orne Sandstone 

gas fields are combination (stratigraphic 

and structural) traps. The Ashland and 

Quinton gas fields are flanked by largescale taults. 

CHAUCTERISTICS OF COALBED 

AKD SAlJLSTOSE NATURAL GAS 

Identification of distinctive characteristics of coalbed and sandstone natural gas will aid in determining the 

extent of communication between these 

respective gas reservoir rocks. Preliminary analysis or some physicai and chemical characteristics of gas samples collected from coalbeds and sandstones in 

the hartshorne Format Lon have displayed 

distinctive trends. it is hoped these 

trends can aid in identifying sinilarities and differences between unconventional coalbed gas and conventionai sandstGne gas. Twenty-six samples (table 5) 

were collected from eight Hartshorne 

Sandstone gas fields and eight samples 

were collected from the Hartshorne Coalbeds (table 6). Analyses consist of stable carbon isotope ratio of methane given 

in 6C13 per mil (parts per thousand deviation from the PUB standard) and chemical 

analysis in percentages. Also the methane proportion of total hydrocarbons (C1/ 

C -4) was calculated for all samples 

analyzed. 
TABLE 5. - Hartshorne Sandstone natural gas analysis 

2~s timated rank of Hartshorne coal associated with individual gas wells : LVB , low-volatile 

HVAB, high-volatile A bituminous coal; HVBB, high-volatile B bituminous coal; HVCB, high-vo

coal. 

Carbon isotope 

of methane, 

a13 per mil 

-35 

-34 

-35 

-36 

-36 

-36 

-43 

-43 

-42 

-42 

-44 

-42 

-42 

-41 

-48 

-45 

-45 

-46 

-48 

-48 

-48 

-48 

-48 

-46 

-47 

-47 

C

0

Township 

and range 

35 T8N EU6E 

3 T7N EU6E 

4 T7N EU6E 

28 T7N EU6E 

28 T7N K26E 

28 T7N EU6E 

8 T7N R19E 

1 T7N R18E 

1 T7N R18E 

10 T7N R18E 

9 T7N R18E 

8 T7N R18E 

22 T7N K17E 

19 T7N R17E 

35 T7N R12E 

4 T5N R12E 

28 T5N R13E 

33 T6N K13E 

32 T5N R12E 

12 T3N RllE 

28T4NR12E 

33 T4N R12E 

32 T4N K12E 

14 T3N RllE 

24 T3N RllE 

31 T2N RlOE 

Sample 

C-l... 

C-2... 

C-3... 

PG1.. 

PG2.. 

PG3.. 

. Q-1.. 

Q-2... 

. 4-3.. 

CY-1.. 

CY-2.. 

CY-3.. 

FB-1.. 

FB-2.. 

SPH-1. 

SPH-2. 

SPH-3. 

SPH-5. 

SPH-6. 

A-l... 

A-2... 

A-3... 

A-4... 

A-5... 

A-6... 

CH-1.. 

other 

Gas wells 

McDow.................. 

Tucker No. 35.......... 

Tucker No. 41.......... 

Twyman No. l........... 

Hill No. 1............. 

Jackson................ 

....... Aldridge No. 4.. 

Q. Spelter No. l....,.. 

..... Q. Spelter No. 4.. 

Basum No. 2............ 

Hinton No. 1........... 

Vail No. 3............. 

......... McFall No. 1.. 

....... Pickinal No. 1.. 

McDonald No. l......... 

0. Morris No. 1.. ...... Buse No. l............. 

Glesse No. 1........... 

Hall No. 1............. 

Smalley Nos. 1-12...... 

LaneNos. 1-28 ......... Jones Nos. 1-33........ 

Smith Nos. 1-32........ 

Cunningham No. 14...... 

Cunningham No. 24...... 

Vaulatta No. 1......... 

hydrocarbons. 

' CH4 

95.85 

98.22 

89.15 

89.03 

94.51 

98.17 

92.94 

93.42 

94.91 

94.50 

90.40 

94.90 

95.20 

95.55 

88.34 

88.55 

87.45 

86.80 

86.78 

85.40 

91.20 

89.76 

89.95 

88.60 

88.44 

88.68 

pct 

C02 

0.80 

1.00 

.77 

.87 

.44 

.45 

1.00 

.44 

.53 

.98 

.31 

.50 

-50 

1.10 

.43 

.49 

.48 

.34 

.24 

.30 

.40 

.37 

.26 

.14 

.15 

.19 

Analysis, 

CHI 

0.45 

.67 

.68 

.83 

1.22 

1.25 

5.83 

5.90 

4.25 

3.97 

3.91 

4.27 

3.94 

2.38 

7.93 

8.37 

9.83 

10.27 

5.37 

5.00 

5.70 

6.34 

6.28 

4.63 

4.53 

3.76 

02+N2+Ar 

2.90 

.11 

9.40 

.27 

3.83 

.13 

.23 

.24 

.31 

.55 

5.38 

.33 

.36 

.97 

3.30 

2.59 

2.24 

2.59 

7.61 

9.30 

2.70 

3.53 

3.51 

6.63 

6.78 

7.73 
I 

LEGEND 

- --. Locilt~cn df gasf~elds In the Hartshorne 

(---'-' Sandstonfs 

Locatlon of gas wells from wh~ch gas sornples 

werp collected for ar~olys~s 

Scale 

FIGURE 21. - Location of naturul gas fields in Hartshorne Sandstones. 
KEY 

A Corbor isotope dersus 

rrethona ;i.?pcrf~om 

I 

* -4 A 

eci I I--L--I___, 

29% a935 C39G i.3.1' C998 0999 10 

METHANE PROWRTION iP,, /C,-,),pct 

FlGIJRE 22. - iiarbshorllr Coalbed gas sornples. 

il, Changes in rrlethone prcpCrs cr. versvs rank, (:, 

changes in carbon isotope rotics cf methane versLls 

rank; /, changes in curbon ,s>rope rat~os of methone versus methune proportron. 

west (fig. 16). This relationship implies that the carbon is~tope ratio of 

met.hane is dependent on rank of associated coal (fig. 22~). There does not 

appear to be any reliitLoriship between 

carbon isotope values and methane proportion of coaibed gas (fig. 22~). 

Natural gas from the Hartshorne Sandstone displays corsiderablz variation in 

the carbon isotope ratio of methane and 

the methane proportion (table 5). Variarious in these physics; and chemical 

A 

U 

k - RANK, pct fixeac:rbon 

r- --r- - r-i- 0 m -341- 

% -36b KEY u A Carbop isotope versus 

-38k rnethone proportion 

-46 - 

-50 .L.d0.87 0.89 0.91 0.93 0.95 0.97 0.39 1.00 

METHANE PFi3PORTION (2, /C,-,), pct 

FlGlJRE 23. - Hartshorne Scndstone gas samples. 

. I, Chunges in methorie prsportion versus rank; I:, 

changes In carbon isotope ratios of methane versus 

rank, /,changes in carbon isotope rat~os of methane 

versu5 rn~tband pro~ortion. 
sands tones. 

Juntgen and Karweil (2) have show11 

that coal retains only a fraction of the 

methane generated during coalification. 

The other explanation wouiO involve physical and chemical fractionation of gas 

generated from any number of source 

rocks. These gases, variable in physical 

and chemical characteristics at Lower 

stages of coalification (nigh-voiatiie 

bituminous coal rank), became both isotopically heavier and increased in methane proportion with increasing coalificstion (medium- to low-volatiie biruminous 

coal rank). These alternatives explain 

the similar heavy carbon isotope values 

and the lack of heavier hydrocarbons in 

the Poteau-Gilmore and Cameron gas fields 

of Le Flore County. 

The large variations in physical and 

chemical characteristics of gas recovered 

from Hartshorne Coalbeds and Sandstone in 

the western portion of the basin my be 

USE OF GAS CU~POSITIOK DATA T9 IDESTICY 

LbGAL ASD TEClilU3LdGICAL PROBLZ:.'IS 

IN CNSEKGKOUXU -K\9 SURFACE blXTHtU E 

DP-4ISAiE PK3JECTS 

ldentification of gas as either convent<onai (sandstone) or coalbed in origin could possibl) be useful in legal and 

technical problem. If gas from underground methane drainage projects or 

vertical iuethsne drainage boreholes proLucing from coalbeds is provec to be 

occluded gas, the operator n;ay sell this 

;;as at a deregalated gas price. This is 

pursuanc to Section 107 of the Natural 

Gas Policy Act of 1978. In December of 

1980, the Federal Energy Regulatory Comrissicn ?nd the Oklahoma Corporation Commission recommended for approval the 

Kerr-McGee Coal Corp. application to sell 

occluded "coalbed" gas from the Choctaw 

Mine at a deregulated price (30). This 

gas gas produced from a horizGta1 borehole methane drainage system operating 
choice of mining system, and the posi

tioning of coalbed methane drainage wells 

are influenced by the structure of the 

Arkona Basin. Yil-c~udhou; the bdsin, the 

dip of the Hartshorae Coalbeds is variable, and in yLaces exceeds 20'. Faulting 

of the Hartshorrle Coalbeds has been observed in many oid mine workings and is 

expected to be a serious problem in the 

southeastern portion of the study area 

where deformation is the nos t intense. 

These structural features mdst be considered when a mine is planned or methane 

drainage well is drilled. 

The Hartshorne Coalbeds have been evaluated structurally to determine the degree of dip and the intensity of folding 

and faulting within the study area. Such 

information will aid in (1) choosing a 

mining system that will effectively deal 

with structure-related problems, (2) selecting an in-mine degasification system appropriate for the mining system, 

(3) estimating the location and degree 

of faulting, and (4) assessing effects of 

of surface methane drainage wells. 

In order to evaluate the structure of 

the Hartshorne Coalbeds in the study 

area, structural contour and overburden 

maps were constructed using the gas well 

and core borehole data [figs. 18 and 24 

(envelope)]. Concomitant use of these 

maps provides insight to the structureinfluenced problems anticipated in mining 

the Hartshorne Coalbeds. 

STRUCTURAL SETTING 

The Arkoma Basin is a curvilinear 

trough extending westward from eastcentral Arkansas to south-central Oklahoma. The basin is bounded by the Ozark 

Uplift, Oklahoma Platform, the Arbuckle 

Mountains, the Ouachita Mountains, and 

the Gulf Coastal Plain (fig. 25). 

The basin evolved as a result of tensional and subsequent compressional 

forces exerted by Ouachita tectonism 

(2, . Broad synclines and intervening, 
I 

FIGURE 25. = Phys~ogrcpl~~c provir~ce rrap for west~rn Gkial3omu and easterr! Arkansas. 

relatively narrow anticlines characterize 

the surficial structure of the Arkoma 

Basin (33). The axes of these folds lie 

subparanel to the overall trend of the 

basin (1). Numerous thrust faults, which 

also s'f-rike subparallel to the basin 

trend, pierce the crests of the narrow 

anticlines and underlie much of the surface structure (1-2, 33). The structure -- - 

beneath the thrust faults horizon is 

dominated by basement-related normal 

faults. These faults produced considerable thickness variation in pre-Hartshorne 

strata (1-2). As the Ouachita structural - - 

front is approached from north to south, 

the amplitude of folds and the displacement along major reverse faults increase 

, 13 In the study area, folding and 

f aultGg become more severe from northwest to southeast. 

EFFECTS OF FOLDING OK >LINE PLANNlNG 

AKLI DEVELC)PMENT, PlINlNG SYSTE?lS, 

AND PETKAtYE DRAINAGE PROGRAMS 

Folding of the Hartshorne Coalbeds has 

influenced mine planning and development 

in the study area. Past mining of the 

Hartshorne Coalbeds has been confined 

primarily to areas of very gentle dips 

adjacent to outcrop (fig. 26). These 

rnines, located near the town of Hartshorne, OK, were developed in strata with 

an average dip of 15'. Here the mines 

drove main entries parallel to the coalbed dip with submain entry development 

parallel to coalbed strike (fig. 26). 

Rooms were driven updip from submains so 

the coal could be easily moved from the 

developing face to railcars along the 

submains. Because submains were driven 
along st-rike (1~11 II ivc~Lv flat), ~031 

could be easi lp r r-::*l~y'~ t nri LC' : FL, i p 

hoist along ma in clot : r3 t i ;~IISI)O~~ ! 1, 

the surface. 

Present conditions are suc-11 tlt:rt new 

mines opening in the ares mist lor-ate 

in areas of adverse st rui.tural sctttxng 

(compare figs. 3 arid 4 with 24). lrl the 

study area, foldiizg is m+st int-ease in 

the southeastern portions, close to the 

Choctaw Fault, but dies o:;t t,r, t!~c ilcjrthwest (fig. 24). Kelativclj tigt~t folds 

such as the Colgate, Szvanrlah, and Craig 

Anti clines, and the Kiowa arid Hai leyville 

Synclines (fig. 24) will prevent development of mines using co11ve~Liorlal roour 

and-pillar teclu~iquer;. Steeply dipping 

beds associated with int c11se folding will 

generate additional problems that Inust he 

accounted for during property evaluation. 

Along the Hartshor~~e outcrop in TlS KllE, 

TIN R12E, T2N K13E, arid T3N Kl4E, dips of 

as much as 60' are ~ncou~~t red .ind there 

is no underground rnirtiilr . iJj t h <it1<*11 11 i gh 

dipq, (in~r-ial T, TI^ t>v .t.c,: C~VI~.. ~III*-~ 

enployed. In the northwestern portion of 

Lhc? study area, folding is less intense 

nnd ordi.nary mining methods may be used. 

The placement of coalbed methane drainage wells is also affected by the fold 

strl.lctures of the Arkoma Basin. If the 

strurtilre of an area is misconstrued or 

poorly understood, a vertical methane 

drainage well will be drilled without 

knowing the depth of the production zone. 

Folded coalbeds produce problems in an 

uudergrout~d methane drainage system because it is often difficult to keep a 

horizontal borehole within a relatively 

thin bed when the strike and dip of the 

bed is continuously changing (fig. 27). 

Nos t methane drainage systems have been 

developed for standard mining with dips 

of 0" to 20° (23). At dips greater than 

20n, different mining systems are employed (i.e., longwall mining, breast and 

pillar, and undervein development) and 

these mining systems will require sper:i alized re t hane drainage techniques. 
tiary Fault, with hundreds of meters of 

offset (fig. 24), are natural barriers 

to mine development. These faults geaerally trend from northeast to southwest 

and extend 5 to 16 km (2 to 10 mi) along 

strike. They formed as a result of compressional forces arising during Ouachita 

tectonism (6). These large-scale faults 

are concentrated in the southeas tern 

portion of the study area, nearest che 

Ouachita structural front. 

In addition, a multitude of small-scale 

faults are found throughout the study 

area. These faults are not mapped on 

the structure contour map because of 

their small scale, but are found on numerous mine maps of the area. Although 

displacement on these small-scale faults 

Faults raay also introduce problems into a methane drainage program that uses 

troLI1 vert i.ca1 allti Iiorizolltal boreholes 

(fig. 177). E'e~il is are sli ff icul t to drill 

through aud make 1,~-oject ions ot the coalbed depth dif t ic!~lt to ascertain. Additioi~al.!y, the ~~ert. ical. displ.acemsnt of 

faults can co~~q)art~nerltraLize the coalbed 

gas reszrvoi r 31?d prejlent effective 

drainage of methaue. Brecciation and 

t-raeturi 11g associated with faulting generally increase the permeability of coal 

arid produce illcreased gas flows in the 

vicinity of a fault, but can present 

problems in maintaining an open hole. 

Faults that extend to the surface may 

either e~1ii.L methane into the atmosphere 

or infuse water into the coal thus limiting waLer removal eff ectriveness. 
SU~~Y AND CONCLUSIONS 

The Hartshorne coal and associated gas 

remain largely unproduced because of 

several complex and somewhat interrelated 

geological factors. Approximate1.y 1 billion t (1.1 billion T) of coal in place 

remain untouched by standard mining 

systems. Methane resources, estimated at 

9.2 billion m3 (325 billion ft3) have 

only recently been tested for production 

potential. Basic engineering and geological research indicated several potential 

problem areas related to mining and gas 

resource potential: Variations in thickness of coals, increases in methane content with increases in overburden and 

rank, engineering and legal gas production problems because of close association of Hartshorne Coalbeds and Sandstones, and variability in folding and 

faulting of the Hartshorne Formation. 

Detailed geological maps presented in 

this report will help to plari for or 

avoid many geologically influenced mining 

and methane drainage problems, Areas of 

minable coalbeds have been delineated 

thereby providing a basic reference for 

exploration programs. Investigations of 

methane content have indicated a need for 

a comprehensive methane control program 

in underground mines. This large methane 

resource could also be of economic significance in the future. 

Variations in methane content must be 

understood for designing methane drainage 

programs and mine ventilation. Locations 

of gas-producing Hartshorne Sandstone are 

provided to indicate the additional 

health, safety, and production problems 

that will occur in certain portions of 

the basin. Also, data provided on the 

physical and chemical characteristics of 

coal and conventional natural gas allows 

recognition of the source of gas emissions and/or flows. Examinat ion of 

structure-related problems and the locations of areas expected to have these 

problems are given. 

The data provided in this report should 

be used by engineers and geologists in 

planning for the safest, nost productive mining and methane drainage systems 

available for the Hartshorne Coalbeds of 

the Western Arkoma Basin. 

REFEKENCES 

1. Berry, R. X., and W. D. Trumbly. in Organic Geochemistry, Proc. of the 3d 

hilburton Gas Field, Arkoma Basin, Okla- Int. Conf., 1970, pp. 1-26. 

homa. Ch. in Geology of the Nesterr1 Arkoma Basin nald Ouachi ta Mountains. Okla- 4. Cuoper, C. L. Analyses of Oklahoma 

homa City &ological Society Guidebook, Coals. BuMines Tech. Paper 411, 1928, 

1968, pp. 86-103. 62 pp. 

2. Rgchanan, K. S,, and F. K. Johnscn, 

Bonanza Gas Field--A Model for Arkoma Basin Growth Faulting, Ch. in Geology of 

the Western Arkoma Basin and Ouachita 

Mountains, Oklahoma City Geological 

Society Guidebook, 1968, pp. 75-85. 

3. Colombo, U., F, Gazzarrini, R. Gonfiantini, G. Kneuper, Me Teichmuller, and 

K. Teichmuller. Carbon Isotope Study on 

Methane From German Coal Deposits. Adv. 

5. Diamond, W, P., and J. K. Levine, 

Direct Method Determination of the Gas 

Content of Coal: Procedures and Results. 

BuMines RI 8515, 1981, 12 pp. 

6. Diggs, W. E. Structural Framework 

of the Arkoma Basin. Ch, in Arkoma Basin 

and North-Central Ouachita Mountains of 

Oklahoma. Tulsa Geological Society and 

Fort Smith Geological Society Guidebook, 

1961, pp. 62-65. 
11. Glick, E. Arkansas and Northern 

Louisiana. Ch. in Paleotectonic Investigations of the Pennsylvanian Systems in 

the United States. U,S. Geol. Surv. 

Prof. Paper 853, 1975, pp. 157-175. 

12. Hendricks, T. A., M. M. Knechtel, 

C. H. Dane, H. E, Rothrock, and J. S. 

Williams. Geology and Fuel Resources of 

the Southern Part of the Oklahoma Coal 

Field. U.S. Geol. Surv. Bull. 874, 1939, 

300 pp. 

13. Hendricks, T. A., and B. Park. 

Geology of the Fort Smith District. U.S. 

Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 221-3, 1950, 

pp. 67-94. 

14. Houseknecht, D. W., and A. T. Iannacchione. Anticipating Facies-Related 

Coal Mining Problems in Hartshorne Formation, Arkoma Basin. AAPG Bull., v. 66, 

NO. 7, July 1982, pp. 923-930. 

 

ogy of the Bartshorne Coalbed in Haskell 

and Le Flore Cor~nties, Okla., 3ullines RI 

8407, 1979, 13 pp. 

19. Junt~e:~, H., and -1. Karweil, Gasbildung and f;asspei::h.rri.~ng in Steinkohlenf lozen, Teil 1 : Casbildung-Teil 

11: Gasspeicherung. Erdol u Kohle, 29, 

pp. 251-253, 339-344. 

20. Kim, A. G. The Conposition of 

Coalbed Gas. BuYines KT 7762, :973, 

9 PP* 

31. . Estimatirig Methane Content 

of Bituminous Coal beds From Adsorption 

Data. BuNiiles KI 3245, 1977, 22 pp. 

22. Kissell, F. N. The Methane Migration and Storage Characteristics of the 

Pittsburgh, llocahontas 30, 3, and Oklahoma Hartshorne Coalbeds. Buihiines RI 

7667, 1972, 22 pp. 
horn. OK &DL. Surv. BriL1. 4, July 1926, 

pp. it(-25. 

17. Stach, . M.-Th. :\lackowsky, T. rm leicflauPltr, h;. 5. Taylor, D. Cr:andr:1, 

tonic History of the Ouachita Mountains, 

Arkansas. Ch. in Gravity and Tectonics. 

2ohn Xiley S Sons, Inc., New "fork, 1974, 

pp. 371-377. 
Dry mneral matter free. 

The above values can be inserted into equation A-1 to probl~c-. the following 

s iinplif -led eq:lat ions : 

ELV = -0.982 - 3.092 x h + 3.122 x ho*'"', (A- 2) 

where ELV = estimated methane content of low-volatile bituic~.noi::; i-Iartshorne Coal, 

cubic centimeters per gram, 

EHV = estimated rne~llane content of high-volatiie bituminous Hartshorne coal., 

cubic centimeters pel: gram, 

and ti = depth, meters. 

Equation A-2 was used to generate figure 19, and equation A-3 generated figure 20. 

- ----Ap- - -- - ------------------------------ ---- 

'underlined numbers ir, parentheses refer to items in the llst of references preced-. 

ing the appendix.