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Potential for a basin-centered gas accumulation in the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico

Bulletin 2184-C
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/b2184C

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Abstract

The potential that a basin-centered or continuous-type gas accumulation is present in the Albuquerque Basin in central New Mexico was investigated. The Albuquerque Basin is one of the many rift basins that make up the Rio Grand rift system, an area of active extension from Oligocene to recent time. The basin is significantly different from other Rocky Mountain basins that contain basin-centered gas accumulations because it is actively subsiding and is at near maximum burial and heating conditions at the present time. Burial reconstructions suggest that Cretaceous-age source rocks began to generate gas in the deeper parts of the basin about 20 million years ago and are still generating large amounts of gas. The high mud weights typically used while drilling the Cretaceous interval in the deeper areas of the basin suggest some degree of over-pressuring. Gas shows are commonly reported while drilling through the Cretaceous interval; however, attempts to complete gas wells in the Cretaceous have resulted in subeconomic quantities of gas, primarily because of low permeabilities. Little water has been reported. All of these characteristics suggest that a basin-centered gas accumulation of some sort is present in the Albuquerque Basin.

Suggested Citation

Johnson, R.C., Finn, T., Nuccio, V.F., 2001, Potential for a basin-centered gas accumulation in the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico (Version 1.0): U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 2184, 21 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/b2184C.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Potential for a basin-centered gas accumulation in the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico
Series title Bulletin
Series number 2184
Chapter C
DOI 10.3133/b2184C
Edition Version 1.0
Year Published 2001
Language ENGLISH
Description 21 p.
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