Kentucky Geological Survey entucky Geology UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY K Earth ResourcesOur Common Wealth Winter 2004 Volume 5, Number 1 Kentucky Geological Potential in the Rough Creek Graben Survey 228 Mining & Mineral New natural gas research planned Resources Bldg. he Kentucky Geological Survey is planning a new research consortium to study the deep natural University of Kentucky Tgas potential of the Rough Creek Graben in western Kentucky. The project will focus on the Lexington, KY Cambrian (Rome/Eau Claire) and possibly Precambrian rocks in the graben and surrounding areas in 40506-0107 Kentucky and southern Illinois. This research is dependent on funding from the U.S. Department of 859.257.5500 Energy and joint industry participation. The project would be structured similarly to the recently fax 859.257.1147 completed Rome Trough Consortium project in eastern Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. Final www.uky.edu/KGS products will include: James Cobb, State ♦ Structural and stratigraphic well- Geologist and log cross sections votion2wp2for2ough2greek2qren2tudy Director ♦ Digitized well logs tudy2ere John Kiefer, Assistant ough2greek2qren State Geologist ♦ Interpretation of available seismic @onnets2with2eelfoot2ift2to2southwestA Carol Ruthven, Editor, data Kentucky Geology ♦ Structure and isopach maps of potential reservoir intervals and Our mission is to basement increase knowledge and ♦ Core descriptions understanding of the mineral, energy, and ♦ Exploration models and final water resources, report geologic hazards, and Companies interested in partici- H PS wiles geology of Kentucky for pating in this project are encouraged to the benefit of the contact Dave Harris at 859.257.5500 Commonwealth and ext. 173 (e-mail [email protected]) or Jim Drahovzal at 859.257.5500 ext. 175 (e-mail Nation. [email protected]).v In this issue New natural gas Funding renewed for 2004 research planned 1 KGS Digital KGS Digital Geologic Mapping Program Geologic Mapping arren Anderson and Drew Andrews of This is the ninth consecutive year of Program 1 Wthe Geospatial Analysis Section of KGS funding from the USGS. Since 1996 the Digital Quaternary mapping received a 1-year, $245,350 grant from the U.S. Geologic Mapping Program has generated total in Kentucky, Indiana, Geological Survey for the 2004 continuation of project awards of $1.6 million. and Illinois 1 the USGS STATEMAP Program. The funding The digital geologic map information is Geology, GIS, and will be used to convert geologic maps for important for the long-term growth and devel- planning 2 Land-use planning Kentucky into digital format and to conduct opment of the Commonwealth. For more maps 2 new mapping of surficial materials along the information, contact Warren Anderson, In Focus: Reducing Ohio River in western Kentucky. principal investigator of the Digital Geologic global warming by Mapping Program, at 859.257.5500 ext. 151 or storing CO beneath 2 by e-mail at [email protected] the earths surface Insert Spotlight on new Disaster preparedness for Greater Evansville area publications 3 Quaternary mapping in Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois Technology transfer 3 KGS annual meeting 3 he Western Kentucky western Indiana hosted a tri- review the current understand- Calendar of events 4 TOffice of the Kentucky state Quaternary mapping ing of the Quaternary for the Geological Survey and the conference in Evansville, Ind., Greater Evansville area and to Disaster Prepared Communi- November 1819. The purpose lay the groundwork for ties Corporation of South- of the conference was to (continued on page 4) 1 Directors Desk he future development of coalbed gas escapes into other rocks or into the Tmethane resources and implementa- atmosphere, but some of it remains in tion of carbon sequestration operations the coal. Assessing the coalbed methane in Kentucky offer the prospect of resource in the Eastern and Western significant economic and environmental Kentucky Coal Fields is essential if we benefits for the Commonwealth. During are to understand the economic potential the past 3 years, we have been leaders in for coalbed methane production. With the development of carbon sequestration the support of Federal and State technology and assessment of coalbed agencies, KGS has begun a program to methane potential in Kentucky. assess the coalbed methane potential of The production of coal, along with various coal beds in western Kentucky. the related generation of electricity from We are also seeking Federal and State We are now engaged in detailed coal-fired power plants, has been a support to supplement industry support assessments of specific sites for mainstay of Kentuckys economy for that we have secured for a similar potential carbon sequestration in decades. Although vast undeveloped resource assessment in eastern Ken- Kentucky. We intend to test some of reserves of coal remain in Kentucky, tucky. these sites to determine if they might developing all of these reserves may not Carbon sequestration refers to a provide safe, long-term CO storage. 2 be economic or technically feasible at process of capturing and safely storing The development of coalbed existing market prices for coal. There is in underground reservoirs carbon methane resources and implementation tremendous economic potential on the dioxide (CO ) from emission stacks of 2 of carbon sequestration operations horizon, however, to use our coal coal-fired power plants and other provide an opportunity to use state-of- resources to develop coalbed methane industrial plants. It has two major the-art technology and geologic research and for carbon sequestration operations. benefits. Reduction of CO in the 2 to maximize the future use of our rich Coalbed methane is a gas that atmosphere can help address problems endowment of energy resources. occurs in association with coal. When associated with global warming. coal is formed underground over Injection of CO into oil reserves can 2 millions of years, large amounts of gas enhance the recovery of oil; and the (mainly methane) are producedmore injection of CO into coal seams can 2 gas than the coal can hold. Some of this produce coalbed methane. Geology, GIS, and planning GIS 3.x, taught by Dan Carey, an planning. The maps provide information 1-day workshop to discuss ESRI-certified instructor at KGS. on how the underlying rock in an area Atechnical issues, research expertise, A similar workshop may be hosted affects excavation and foundations, and online data and mapping resources by KGS in the spring of 2004. If you are onsite wastewater treatment systems, for geology, GIS, and planning was interested, please contact Carol residential and industrial developments, hosted by KGS in Lexington on Novem- Ruthven at 859.257.5500 ext. 128 or by highway and street construction, and ber 19. Speakers from KGS, the Natural e-mail at [email protected] pond and reservoir construction. Resources Conservation Service, and the Photographs of sites in the area illustrate Northern Kentucky Area Planning Generalized geologic maps for the geologic concepts discussed in the Commission discussed soils and land-use planning text. geology, building on karst terrain, s economic growth continues in These maps have been published geologic hazards, geologic maps and AKentucky, there is an increasing for six counties (Butler, Edmonson, GIS, and GIS and planning. need for a better understanding of the Jessamine, Scott, Warren, and Wood- The PowerPoint presentations from potential impact that local geology can ford), Lexington and Fayette County, the workshop are available on the News have on land use. KGS is cooperating and the Berea 7.5-minute quadrangle. and Announcements section of the KGS with the U.S. Department of Agricul- They are available on the KGS Web site Web site (www.uky.edu/kgs). The tureNatural Resources Conservation at www.uky.edu/KGS/pubs/lop.htm. For workshop was followed by a 2-day Service to produce generalized geologic more information, contact Dan Carey at training class, Introduction to ArcView maps that can be used for land-use 859.257.5500 ext. 157 or by e-mail at [email protected] 2 IN FFOCUS Reducing Global Warming by Storing Carbon Dioxide beneath the Earths SurfaceExploring the Prospects for Carbon Sequestration Carol L. Ruthven February 2004 Carbon dioxide emissions climate_change_position.html).The Wyoming, and New Mexico, to produce and global warming environmental impact of global oil remaining in reservoir pores after primary production is complete. The ydrocarbons (oil, natural gas, and coal) warming is not well understood but injected CO affects chemical interac- Hare expected to be the primary source of diverse and widespread; it includes 2 tions among the reservoir rock and oil. energy in the United States for at least the glaciers melting more rapidly than in When CO mixes with the remaining oil, next 50 years. There is mounting scientific the past, increased loss of forests 2 it can expand its volume and reduce its evidence that increasing concentrations of damaged by pests (e.g., budworm and viscosity (thickness), making it easier carbon dioxide (CO ) are contributing to pine beetle), and earlier spring 2 to pump to the surface. This process is global warming. Carbon dioxide is released weather and hotter summer weather in referred to as enhanced oil recovery to the atmsophere when carbon-containing places around the globe. Although roughly half of the CO released in the or EOR. fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal are 2 burned. This problem is compounded by atmosphere is absorbed by plants and The success of EOR operations carbon emissions from forest fires and trees in forests as part of photosyn- has spurred scientists to investigate forests burned to clear land. thesis or absorbed by oceans, a coal seams to determine if they may significant amount of CO remains Carbon dioxide increases the capacity of 2 the atmosphere to trap heat (the green- in the atmosphere. house effect) and this contributes to global warming. Daily activities by all of us add to Carbon sequestration the problemCO is released in emissions 2 technology from vehicles, large industrial complexes, and power plants.