Fact Sheet 2013–3047
AbstractFourteen monitoring wells were sampled by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, to better understand the chemistry and age of groundwater in the Piceance structural basin in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, and how they may relate to the development of underlying natural-gas reservoirs. Natural gas extraction in the area has been ongoing since at least the 1950s, and the area contains about 960 producing, shut-in, and abandoned natural-gas wells. |
First posted September 24, 2013 For additional information contact: Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge. |
McMahon, P.B., Thomas, J.C., and Hunt, A.G., 2013, Chemistry and age of groundwater in the Piceance structural basin, Rio Blanco county, Colorado, 2010–12: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2013–3047, 6 p., https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2013/3047/.
Key Findings
Key Implications
The Study Area
The Study Design
Dissolved Solids in Groundwater
Hydrocarbons in Groundwater
Hydrocarbon Migration
Groundwater Ages
Study Limitations
References Cited