Abstract: Natural Gas Resources of the Appalachian Basin Region of Eastern Kentucky

Matthew Humphreys, Joseph F. Meglen, James A. Drahovzal

The Appalachian basin of eastern Kentucky is a maturely explored petroleum province that warrants a closer look because of its reserves and close proximity to northeastern industrial markets. In eastern Kentucky, commercial gas production was established in Pennsylvanian sandstones in 1892. By 1907, a pipeline had been constructed to supply gas from eastern Kentucky to markets in Louisville, Kentucky.

Gas production is known from reservoirs ranging in age from Cambrian-Ordovician along the western margin of the Appalachian basin to Pennsylvanian in the center of the basin. The most prolific production is from basin-centered reservoirs: the Mississippian Newman limestone and the Devonian Ohio black shale. Historically, Kentucky has produced more than 4.5 trillion cubic feet of gas, mostly from basin centered reservoirs in the eastern part of the State. Estimated statewide production for Kentucky in 1993 is 86 billion cubic feet of natural gas, with 98-percent of this production from eastern Kentucky.

The U.S. Department of Energy, Morgantown Energy Technology Center, is funding a multi-state project to compile an atlas of major Appalachian basin gas plays. The project is administered through the Appalachian Oil and Natural Gas Research Consortium. Participants include the state geological surveys of Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia; West Virginia University; and other contractors. The atlas, which is scheduled for publication by October 1994, will be a compilation of available geologic, reservoir, production, and reserves data for 30 plays.

Active exploration and development continue throughout much of eastern Kentucky. New technologies are being applied to enhance existing production and extend known reservoirs. Deeper reservoirs are being evaluated in light of new interpretations of tectonics and the history of basin development.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994