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In cooperation with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining

Monitoring for Methane Gas in Carbon and Emery Counties, Utah, 1995–2003

By Andrew L. Burr, Bernard J. Stolp, and Kevin K. Johnson

Version 1.0

ABSTRACT

The release of methane gas from coal beds creates the potential for it to move into near-surface environments through natural and human-made pathways. To help ensure the safety of communities and determine the potential effects of development of coal-bed resources, methane gas concentrations in soils and ground water in Carbon and Emery Counties, Utah, were monitored from 1995 to 2003. A total of 420 samples were collected, which contained an average methane concentration of 2,740 parts per million by volume (ppmv) and a median concentration of less than 10 ppmv. On the basis of spatial and temporal methane concentration data collected during the monitoring period, there does not appear to be an obvious, widespread, or consistent migration of methane gas to the near-surface environment.

This report is contained in the following files:

Fact Sheet 2006–3113.pdf (948 KB)

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Related information may be obtained from the following files:

Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5227.pdf (0.8 MB)

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Send questions or comments about this report to the author, Bernard J. Stolp at bjstolp@usgs.gov 801.908.5061.