Alaska Science Center


Alaska Rural Energy Project, Wainwright, Alaska

An exploratory well was cored and tested in Wainwright, Alaska to study coalbed methane production.

Abstract


Federal and state teams have been studying coalbed methane production in Alaska for at least 15 years, starting with a well drilled in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough north of Anchorage. The testing moved to more remote corners of Alaska in the early 2000’s with one test well in Fort Yukon in 2004 and another at Franklin Bluffs in 2005. For this Wainwright project, an exploratory well cored and tested to the 1610 foot depth in 2007. Another exploratory well was drilled and logged to the 2450 foot depth in 2008. The project installed production and monitor test wells in 2009 with additional work to conduct production test and drill two delineation wells in 2009. The need for affordable energy sources is acute in rural communities of Alaska where costly diesel fuel must be delivered by barge or plane for power generation. Additionally, the transport, transfer, and storage of fuel pose great difficulty in these regions. Although small-scale energy development in remote arctic locations presents unique challenges, identifying and developing economic, local sources of energy remains a high priority for state and local governments
Products
Title Type
Rural Energy ProgramProject Website

Contacts

Clark, Arthur C., 303-236-5793

Status: completed
Start Year: 2006
End Year: 2010

Project Sites

Collaborators
BLM - Alaska State Office

USGS Mission Area and Program
Energy and MineralsEnergy Resources

Keywords
Solid Earth > Natural Resources > Natural Gas