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Wsgs-2003-Gn-78.Pdf In this issue: Coal Update Research Assistantships Help Compile New Geo- logic Map of Wyoming Wyoming State Geological Survey Lance Cook, State Geologist Middle Jurassic Dinosaurs of Northern Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming November, 2003 Wyoming Geo-notes No. 78 November, 2003 Featured Articles Coal update . 15 Research assistantships help compile new geologic map of Wyoming . 34 Middle Jurassic dinosaurs of northern Wyoming . 39 Contents Minerals update ...................................................... 1 Hazards, infrastructure, and related Overview............................................................... 1 databases .......................................................... 36 Summer interns honored .................................... 3 Middle Jurassic dinosaurs of northern Oil and gas update............................................... 4 Wyoming: Evidence from the Yellow Coal update......................................................... 15 Brick Road Dinosaur Tracksite, Bighorn Coalbed methane update.................................. 23 Basin, Wyoming .............................................. 39 Industrial minerals and uranium update....... 25 Ordering information ........................................ 47 Metals and precious stones update ................. 27 Publication order form ...................................... 47 Geologic mapping and hazards update ............. 31 Location maps of the Wyoming State Geologic mapping, paleontology, and Geological Survey ................ Inside back cover stratigraphy update ........................................ 31 Research assistantships help compile new geologic map of Wyoming............................. 34 **Please note: the mailing address WYOMING GEO-NOTES: This quarterly digest on the for the WSGS has changed; the new state’s geology, mineral resources, and activities of the address is included on the back Wyoming State Geological Survey is available by subscrip- cover. tion (four issues for $15.00) or as single copies at $5.00 each. Two-year subscriptions are accepted. People with disabilities who require an alternative form of communication in order to use this publication should Richard W. Jones, contact the Editor, Wyoming State Geological Survey at (307) 766-2286. TTY Relay operator 1 (800) 877-9975. Wyoming PG-2972 Editor Jaime R. Moulton Layout and design Front cover: Artist’s conception of hypothetical carnivorous dinosaurs from the Middle Jurassic Sundance Formation in the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. These trackmakers at the Yellow Brick Road Dinosaur Tracksite (see article on page 39) were small- to medium-sized (30 to 99 cm high at the hip), gregarious the- ropod dinosaurs. From an original 11” w x 7” h colored pencil sketch by Thomas L. Adams. 600 copies printed by Little Ol’ Printshop, Cheyenne, Wyoming. 1 Wyoming Geo-notes No. 78 November, 2003 MINERALS UPDATE Overview Lance Cook, Wyoming PG-2577 State Geologist, Wyoming State Geological Survey he October, 2003 forecast for complete discussion and analysis of the factors. The historical leaders in pro- mineral production and prices, CREG forecasts. duction of natural gas, Texas, Loui- made by the State of Wyoming’s siana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, The natural gas situation in Wyo- TConsensus Revenue Estimating Group are showing stagnant or declining ming is especially important and (CREG), is now available. Both prices production. Canada, the largest sup- warrants further discussion. CREG’s and volumes for natural gas production plier of natural gas imports to the natural gas price forecast has changed have changed substantially. Oil produc- U.S., is having difficulty maintaining substantially from last January’s esti- tion and price forecasts as well as the export volumes. In the future, Canada mate (Figure 1). The estimate for calen- forecast for coal prices have improved; is likely to use more of their domesti- dar year 2003 has gone from $2.00 per the forecast for trona production has cally produced natural gas in the syn- thousand cubic feet (MCF) to $4.25 per not changed; the forecasts for coal and crude hydrogenation process, reducing MCF, and the long-term base price has uranium production have decreased the amount of gas available for export. grown from $2.25 to $3.25. This change slightly; and the forecast for the price Meanwhile, U.S. natural gas consump- is significant for the State of Wyoming of mined trona also decreased from tion is currently stable, and is expected in that the State’s revenue grows by last January’s CREG estimates. The $1.6 million per year for every 1-cent new CREG forecasts are presented in increase in the yearly average price of Table 2. Average prices paid for Wyoming oil, Tables 1 and 2 and can be compared methane, coal, and trona (1987 through 2002) natural gas. Clearly, the new forecast 1 with the January, 2003 forecasts pub- with forecasts to 2008 . suggests a dramatic growth in State Calendar lished in the previous issue of Wyoming 2 3 4 5 revenues. Year Oil Methane Coal Trona Geo-notes (No. 77, June, 2003, Tables 1 1987 16.42 1.78 9.80 36.56 and 2, p. 1). See the individual mineral The new strength in Wyoming’s 1988 13.43 1.43 9.16 36.88 1989 16.71 1.58 8.63 40.76 update articles in this issue for a more natural gas prices is due to two main 1990 21.08 1.59 8.43 43.70 1991 17.33 1.46 8.06 44.18 1992 16.38 1.49 8.13 43.81 1993 14.50 1.81 7.12 40.08 Table 1. Wyoming mineral production (1987 through 2002) with forecasts to 20081. 1994 13.67 1.63 6.62 38.96 Calendar Carbon In situ 1995 15.50 1.13 6.38 40.93 2,3 3,4 3,4 4,5 6 7 8 Year Oil Methane Dioxide Helium Coal Trona Uranium 1996 19.56 1.46 6.15 45.86 1987 115.9 628.2 114.2 0.86 146.5 12.4 0.00 1997 17.41 1.94 5.78 42.29 1988 114.3 700.8 110.0 0.83 163.6 15.1 0.09 1998 10.67 1.81 5.41 41.29 1989 109.1 739.0 126.1 0.94 171.1 16.2 1.1 1999 16.44 2.06 5.19 38.49 1990 104.0 777.2 119.9 0.90 184.0 16.2 1.0 2000 26.87 3.42 5.40 37.28 1991 99.8 820.0 140.3 1.05 193.9 16.2 1.0 2001 21.59 3.66 5.75 38.00 1992 97.0 871.5 139.2 1.05 189.5 16.4 1.2 2002 22.08 2.09 6.66 38.00 1993 89.0 912.8 140.8 1.06 209.9 16.0 1.2 2003 25.75 4.20 6.80 37.50 1994 80.2 959.2 142.6 1.07 236.9 16.1 1.2 2004 22.50 3.50 6.00 37.50 1995 75.6 987.5 148.8 1.11 263.9 18.4 1.3 2005 20.50 3.25 6.03 37.50 1996 73.9 1023.4 149.0 1.10 278.4 18.6 1.9 2006 20.50 3.25 6.12 37.50 1997 70.2 1040.7 151.0 1.10 281.5 19.4 2.2 2007 20.50 3.25 6.24 37.50 1998 65.7 1072.6 151.0 1.10 315.0 18.6 2.3 2008 20.50 3.25 6.40 37.50 1999 61.3 1133.1 161.0 1.10 336.5 17.8 2.8 1From CREG’s Wyoming State Government Revenue 2000 60.6 1293.3 161.0 1.10 338.9 17.8 2.1 Forecast, October, 2003; 2First purchase price in dol- 2001 57.5 1437.6 174.0 1.20 368.8 17.7 1.6 lars per barrel (weighted average price for sweet, sour, 2002 54.7 1572.6 174.0 1.20 373.2 17.2 1.4 heavy, stripper, and tertiary oil). Source: Energy Infor- 2003 52.5 1602.8 196.0 1.20 376.8 18.0 1.4 mation Administration, 1987-2002; 3Wellhead price in 2004 50.4 1602.8 196.0 1.20 380.6 18.0 1.4 dollars per thousand cubic feet (MCF), includes coalbed 2005 50.4 1652.8 196.0 1.20 384.4 18.5 1.4 methane. Source: American Association, 1998-2002; 2006 52.4 1707.8 196.0 1.20 388.3 18.5 1.4 Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments, 2007 54.5 1765.5 196.0 1.20 392.1 18.5 1.4 1989-2002 (derived from State royalty payments); and 2008 57.7 1824.3 196.0 1.20 396.0 18.5 1.4 Minerals Management Service, 1987-1988 (derived 1From CREG’s Wyoming State Government Revenue Forecast, October, 2003; 2Millions of barrels; 3Wyoming Oil from Federal royalty payments); 4Dollars per short ton and Gas Conservation Commission, 1987 through 2002; 4Billions of cubic feet, estimates for methane include (weighted average price for coal mined by surface and coalbed methane; 5Based on ExxonMobil’s estimate that the average helium content in the gas processed at La underground methods). Source: Energy Information Barge is 0.5%; 6Millions of short tons (Wyoming State Inspector of Mines, 1987 through 2002); 7Millions of short Administration, 1987-1990 and derived from Department tons (Wyoming Department of Revenue, 1987 through 2002; Wyoming State Inspector of Mines, 2002); 8Millions of of Revenue, 1991-2002; 5Dollars per ton of trona, not pounds of yellowcake (Wyoming Department of Revenue, 1987 through 1999; Wyoming State Inspector of Mines, soda ash. Source Wyoming Department of Revenue, 2000 through 2002). 1987-2002. 1 Wyoming Geo-notes No. 78 November, 2003 Wyoming Geo-notes No. 78 November, 2003 Figure 2. Annual natural gas production from Wyoming (1993 through 2002) Figure 1. Average prices for Wyoming methane (1998 through 2002) showing showing differences between the 2002 and 2003 CREG forecasts for 2003 differences between the 2002 and 2003 CREG forecasts for 2003 through through 2008.
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