Natural Gas From Coalbeds Exploration Along
the South Coast of Oregon: A 21st
Century Approach to Natural Resource Exploration in Sensitive Environments
Halferty, Margaret A.1,
Steven P. Pappajohn1 (1) Methane Energy Corp, Coquille, OR
The Oregon coast is home to
breathtaking wonders of nature including spectacular beaches, pristine salmon-
and steelhead-filled streams, and lush, verdant forests. Residents take pride
in this dramatic natural beauty as is evidenced their well known devotion, and
sensitivity, to maintaining this environmental treasure trove.
Situated in Coos County along the southwest
coast of Oregon, the Coos Bay Basin is a thick (over 6,000
feet) Eocene-age accumulation of dominantly non-marine sediments and coalbeds. Recently, Methane Energy Corp. (MEC) identified
over 1 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas
in-place in the coalbeds of the Coaledo
formation in the Coos Bay Basin. While exploration and
production testing continues, the ultimate aim, upon proving commercial
production rates, is to develop this deposit into a natural gas field.
Many operational challenges face MEC in Coos County. Since only one other
gas field has been developed in Oregon (Mist Field, 1979),
local residents are often unfamiliar and leery of petroleum industry
activities. Further, domestic coalbed methane
projects have often suffered from both poor industry practices and negative
press. And although natural gas is the environmental fossil fuel of choice,
concerns can arise from many sectors including regulatory agencies,
environmental interests, sports and recreation groups, politicians, and many
others.
MEC has identified 5 critical elements in
support of operating in this sensitive environment:
o Involve and engage the
community; o Adhere to and, where possible, exceed regulations; o Provide
education and promote discussions; o Preempt concerns with data and
information; o Be transparent and identify the benefits of the project.
The effectiveness of this approach is
best demonstrated by cost and time savings. To date, the Coos County community has shown
strong support for the current exploration efforts.