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The Funding Challenge First phase of rural Alaska coalbed gas study complete: State looking for money for test wells; independent GRI Inc. testing production near Houston; Unocal planning wells on large Matanuska Valley prospect Kristen Nelson PNA News Editor
The state has estimated Alaska coalbed gas resources at 1,000 trillion cubic feet. That's compared to estimates of 675 trillion cubic feet in the Lower 48. And 30-plus trillion cubic feet of conventional natural gas on the North Slope. With one commercial project in the testing stage and a second project planned for next year, Alaska coalbed gas development now draws interest from state and federal agencies, Native organizations and oil and gas companies ranging in size from international operators to small independents. Rural potential Coalbed gas, natural gas trapped in coal, could replace diesel as a fuel in some rural areas of Alaska — and provide part of the energy needs of urban areas as well. Projects are under way in both private and public sectors with evaluation of the resource along the road system further along than in rural areas.
The state has identified three areas for possible test wells, but industry already has wells in at one prospect near Houston and will be targeting an even larger Matanuska Valley prospect beginning next year. State and industry projects were the topic of a meeting in Anchorage in October on the potential and pitfalls of coalbed gas for rural Alaska energy needs. ...
The rest of this story is available from Petroleum News • Alaska by calling the circulation manager Dan Wilcox at 522-9469 for back issue copies. (Nov. 1998)
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