USGS Open-FIle Report 2012–1159: Radon-222 Content of Natural Gas Samples from Upper and Middle Devonian Sandstone and Shale Reservoirs in Pennsylvania: Preliminary Data

Radon-222 Content of Natural Gas Samples from Upper and Middle Devonian Sandstone and Shale Reservoirs in Pennsylvania: Preliminary Data

By E.L. Rowan and T.F. Kraemer

Abstract

Samples of natural gas were collected as part of a study of formation water chemistry in oil and gas reservoirs in the Appalachian Basin. Nineteen samples (plus two duplicates) were collected from 11 wells producing gas from Upper Devonian sandstones and the Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania. The samples were collected from valves located between the wellhead and the gas-water separator. Analyses of the radon content of the gas indicated 222Rn (radon-222) activities ranging from 1 to 79 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) with an overall median of 37 pCi/L. The radon activities of the Upper Devonian sandstone samples overlap to a large degree with the activities of the Marcellus Shale samples.

First posted July 26, 2012

Report PDF (70 KB)

For additional information contact:
Elisabeth Rowan
U.S. Geological Survey
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Mail Stop 956
Reston, VA 20192-0002

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Suggested citation:

Rowan, E.L., and Kraemer, T.F., 2012, Radon-222 Content of natural gas samples from Upper and Middle Devonian sandstone and shale reservoirs in Pennsylvania—Preliminary data: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2012–1159, 6 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1159. (Available only online.)

Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Sample Collection

Analytical Method

Sources of Analytical Error

Results and Discussion

References Cited