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Chapter H, North Slope Fossil Fuel and Geothermal Energy Sources for Local Use in Alaska undiscovered coalbed gas (Roberts and others, 2008). This extremely large number reflects the broad, laterally continuous distribution of thick coal beds of the appropriate rank and burial depth as well as documented gas shows associated with coals penetrated in regional exploration wells (Roberts, 2008). Wainwright, Atqasuk, and Point Lay all lie within this prospective “fairway” for coalbed methane accumulations (Tyler and others, 2000; Roberts, 2008). In fact, the village of Wainwright was selected as a test site for coalbed methane shallow coring in the Arctic, resulting in the successful drilling to a depth of 1,613 feet and documentation of more than 20 total feet of methane- bearing coals beneath the permafrost (Clark and others, 2007; Clark and others, 2010). Preliminary data indicate that the coals are fully saturated with gas (average of 140 asf gas/ton coal) and conservative estimates indicate this resource could serve village energy needs for 10 to 100 years, depending on the number of seams that are tapped and the total area of extraction (Petroleum News, 2007). Testing is continuing from additional monitoring and delineation wells, although a number of economic and engineering hurdles remain. Ongoing studies of the gas seeps near Atqasuk may help establish whether or not the methane is derived from shallow coalbed methane sources. Regardless, the village has good potential for this resource. Similarly, the abundant coal beneath Point Lay has modest coalbed methane potential, possibly assisted by fold-related traps (Roberts, 2008). Although high-quality, mature coals are recognized in the vicinity of Point Hope, the degree of structural disruption suggests coalbed methane accumulations are unlikely (Smith, 1995). Tight gas sands. The Colville basin contains the two most important features for tight gas accumulations: Abundant gas-prone source rocks and thick, low-permeability reservoir units. The potential for this resource is best developed in the Brooks Range foothills, where geologically rapid and deep burial has matured probable Jurassic and Cretaceous source rocks beneath and adjacent to deep-water sandstones of the Torok Formation. Evidence suggesting tight gas resources may be present largely comes from exploration wells, many of which indicate gas charge, overpressure, and undercompaction within potential tight gas sandstone units (Nelson and others, 2006). Point Lay, Atqasuk, and Wainwright each have some potential for tight gas, although Point Lay is the best situated of the three due to its location above the thicker, deeper parts of the Colville basin. Shale gas. The presence of organic-rich, gas-prone shales within the Brooks Range and Colville basin suggest there is significant potential for shale gas in northern Alaska. The only exploration for this resource to date is in the western Brooks Range (Northwest Arctic region), where organic-rich Mississippian-age mudstones are recognized to contain gas trapped within a self-sourcing system. Although preliminary results from shale gas exploration around Red Dog have been promising, it is unclear how extensive this resource might be. Similar rocks are known in the Lisburne Hills east of Point Hope, but complex folding and faulting indicate exploration would be a very high risk. As part of the Colville basin, Point Lay, Wainwright, Atqasuk, and Kaktovik all overlie several possible shale gas targets, although too little is known to reliably assess their potential. Gas hydrates. Gas hydrates are found in a narrow range of modern environments and only occur within specific temperature and pressure conditions. Presently, the North Slope appears to be the only onshore region in Alaska with sufficient permafrost to preserve significant methane hydrate. Recent evaluations point to a vast amount of gas hydrate in the region; the mean estimate of more than 85 tcf exceeds that of all other sources of conventional and unconventional gas (Collet and others, 2008). Recovering this gas presents a number engineering and development challenges, although ongoing research in northern Alaska and Canada suggests that gas can be produced with existing technology (Collet, 2009). Wainwright and Kaktovik are in the critical gas hydrate stability zone (Atqasuk may also be, although the elevated geothermal gradient associated with the Meade arch limits the thickness of critical permafrost). As our understanding of this resource improves, this gas may eventually prove to be viable source of local energy. Geothermal resource potential There are only two recognized thermal springs in the North Slope region, both in the northeastern Brooks Range (sheet 2). The temperatures reported for these springs are relatively low (84°F and 120°F [29°C and 49°C]) and flow rates have not been measured (Motyka and others, 1983). Neither of these is close enough to Kaktovik to be an exploitable energy resource. RECOMMENDATIONS Conventional oil and gas resource recommendations Alaska’s North Slope remains the most prospective onshore conventional hydrocarbon province remaining in North America. Despite this recognized potential, large parts of the region remain underexplored due to the remoteness and hostile climate that results in unusually high exploration and development costs. In this context, the economics surrounding pursuing conventional oil and gas for rural energy alone are extremely challenging. Rural energy success stories such as Barrow and Nuiqsut depended originally upon third-party investment in commercial-led exploration. Any future exploration (or pipelines) in the vicinity of other villages in the region should similarly attempt to secure agreements for local distribution. The vigorous gas seeps near Atqasuk deserve further research to determine the source and nature of the methane (biogenic vs. thermogenic). It remains possible these seeps are leaking from an exploitable North Slope Page 78PDF Image | FOSSIL FUEL AND GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SOURCES FOR LOCAL USE
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