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Analyses of Natural Gases, 2005–2007 D.L. Driskill December 2008 Technical Note 427 U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management BLM/NM/ST-08/007+3700 This document is also available on the Amarillo Field Office Web site at http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/energy/helium.html Production services provided by the NOC Information and Publishing Services Section Analyses of Natural Gases, 2005–2007 December 2008 D.L. Driskill Geologist Bureau of Land Management Amarillo Field Office Amarillo, Texas Technical Note 427 U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Analyses of Natural Gases, 2005–2007 Technical Note 427 Suggested citation: Driskill, D.L. 2008. Analyses of Natural Gases, 2005–2007, Technical Note 427. Bureau of Land Management. Denver, Colorado. BLM/NM/ST-08/007+3700. 199 pp. ii Contents Page Abstract ...................................................................................................................................................1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................3 Tables ......................................................................................................................................................5 Geologic Provinces of the United States ............................................................................................5 Figure 1 - Geologic Provinces of the United States ..........................................................................12 Table 1 - Samples from Gas and Oil Wells in the United States ........................................................13 Table 2 - Samples from Natural Gas Pipelines in the United States ................................................195 Previous Publications in the Helium Survey Series ................................................................................197 iii Abstract Technical Note 427 contains analyses and related States Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land source data for 361 natural gas samp les from 11 Management investigations of the occurrences States. Of the total samples, 231 were collected of helium in natural gases of countries with free- during calendar years 2005 through 2007. market economies. The results of these investiga- The analyses were done using gas chromatog- tions are published periodically to make the raphy. None of the analyses have been pub lished information available to members of the helium previously in other analyses reports. All samples and petroleum industries and to the general were obtained and analyzed as part of the United public. 1 Introduction Bureau of Land Management Technical Note 427, collected from 1917 through 1960. These Analyses of Natural Gases, 2005–2007, contains bulletins have been supplemented periodically by analyses and related source data for 361 natural information circu lars and technical notes (4–17, gas samples from 11 States. Of the total samples, 19–24, 26–30, 32–36, 38–44) containing 11,602 231 were collected during calendar years 2005 analyses of samples collected since 1960. through 2007. The remaining 130 were collected earlier or later, but releases granting permission to In 1976, a compilation of the analyses made publish them were received during preparation of prior to 1975 was prepared by the United States this document. None of these analyses have been Bureau of Mines (USBM) and published by the published previously in other analyses reports. National Technical Information Service of the United States Department of Commerce (18). The The analyses were done using gas 1976 compilation contains 10,562 analyses of gas chromatography. All samples were obtained samples from gas and oil wells and natural gas and analyzed as part of the Bureau of Land pipelines in 37 States and 23 foreign countries. Management investigations of the occurrences of helium in natural gases of countries with free- Three other compilations of analyses have been market economies. This helium survey program published (25, 31, 37) by the USBM. The first has been conducted since 1917. The results are of these was published in 1982 and contained published periodically to make the information analyses performed prior to 1981. The 1982 available to members of the helium and petroleum publication contains 12,554 analyses of gas industries and to the general public. samples from gas and oil wells and natural gas pipelines in 39 States and 24 foreign countries Forty-four publications have presented the results and includes the analyses from the 1976 publi- of 16,820 gas analyses performed through 2004. cation (25). The second of these compilat ions was These publications are refere nced at the end of published in 1987 and contains 14,242 analyses this report in the sec tion “Previous Publications in performed prior to 1986. The samples were taken the Helium Survey Series.” from gas and oil wells and natural gas pipelines in 40 States and 24 foreign countries (31). In 1991, The first three bulletins (1–3)1 contain analyses a compilation of analyses was completed as a and related source data on 5,218 gas samples supplement to the 1987 publication and contains 1 The numbers in parentheses refer to items in the list of previous publications at the end of this report. 3 Analyses of Natural Gases, 2005–2007 Technical Note 427 all analyses published from 1986 through 1990. analyses, should be avail able for purchase around The 1991 publication contains 920 samples from the time this report is published. gas and oil wells and natural gas pipelines in 26 States and 2 foreign countries (37). The helium survey program is conducted by soliciting natural gas samples from throughout In addition to appearing in the publica tions, the United States and other countries with all analyses and related information published free-market economies. The helium survey, in its through 2004 are available on CD-ROM from present scope, would not be possible without the the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) assistance of the helium and petroleum industries, in Springfield, Virginia (1-800-553-NTIS). Orders State and Federal agencies, and the many indi- should refer to Bureau of Land Management viduals engaged in oil and gas exploration and CD-ROM PB2006-500037. The update to this production. CD-ROM, which will include the 2005–2007 4