Wyoming Geo-notes Number 66 Wyoming State Geological Survey OF WYOM Lance Cook, State Geologist TE IN TA G S Laramie, Wyoming G E Y O 1933 E L RV June, 2000 OGICAL SU WYOMING STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Lance Cook, State Geologist GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BOARD Ex Officio Jim Geringer, Governor Philip L. Dubois, President, University of Wyoming Don J. Likwartz, Oil and Gas Supervisor Lance Cook, State Geologist Appointed Nancy M. Doelger, Casper Charles M. Love, Rock Springs Ronald A. Baugh, Casper Stephen L. Payne, Casper John E. Trummel, Gillette STAFF Computer Services Unit Publications Section Susan McClendon - Manager Richard W. Jones - Editor Jaime R. Bogaard - Editorial Assistant Geologic Sections Kathy Hastreiter - Sales Manager Fred H. Porter, III - Cartographer James C. Case, Staff Geologist - - Cartographer Geologic Hazards Phyllis A. Ranz Rodney H. De Bruin, Staff Geologist - Laboratory Unit Oil and Gas Robert W. Gregory - Laboratory Technician Ray E. Harris, Staff Geologist - Industrial Minerals and Uranium Supportive Services Unit W. Dan Hausel, Senior Economic Geologist - Susanne G. Bruhnke - Office Manager Metals and Precious Stones Peggy Hopkins - Administrative Assistant Robert M. Lyman, Staff Geologist - Coal Alan J. Ver Ploeg, Senior Staff Geologist - Geologic Mapping PHONE: (307) 766-2286 Email: [email protected] FAX: (307) 766-2605 WEB Page: http://www.wsgsweb.uwyo.edu WYOMING GEO-NOTES: This quarterly digest on the State’s geology and mineral resources and activities of the Geological Survey is available by subscription (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 contact the Editor, Wyoming State Geological Survey at (307) 766-2286. TTY Relay operator 1(800) 877-9975. Printed on 50% recycled fiber paper. 500 copies printed by Pony X-Press, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Front cover: A new bird fossil from the Green River Formation in the Fossil Basin, southwestern Wyoming. The State of Wyoming recently received this spectacular fossil from Ulrich’s Fossil Gallery, operators of a fossil quarry on state land. Dr. Jason Lillegraven of the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Wyoming has tentatively identified the bird as a type of crane. Comparison with a previously known specimen of a frigate bird (Limnofregata azygosternon) illustrated in Wyoming State Geological Survey Bulletin 63, p. 208, suggests some strong similarities. Experts more familiar with this group of fauna will make the final identification. This fossil may even represent a new species. Specimen preparation by Carl Ulrich, photograph by Robert M. Lyman. Table of Contents Page Minerals update........................................................................................ 1 Overview and general comments ......................................................... 1 Coalbed methane well spacing......................................................... 1 Coalbed methane pamphlet ............................................................. 2 Other notes....................................................................................... 2 Oil and gas update................................................................................ 4 Exploration and development ............................................................... 12 Coal update........................................................................................... 19 Developments in the Powder River Basin (PRB) ............................. 20 Developments in southern Wyoming................................................ 24 Transportation developments........................................................... 25 Coalbed methane developments...................................................... 26 Regulatory developments................................................................. 26 Market developments and opportunities........................................... 27 Reference cited ................................................................................ 27 Industrial minerals and uranium update................................................ 29 Chemical grade limestone................................................................ 30 Construction aggregate .................................................................... 31 Decorative and dimensional stone ................................................... 31 Trona ................................................................................................ 32 Uranium............................................................................................ 33 References cited............................................................................... 34 Metals and precious stones update ...................................................... 34 Diamonds ......................................................................................... 34 Platinum-palladium rush continues................................................... 40 Section news .................................................................................... 41 References cited............................................................................... 43 Geologic mapping, paleontology, and stratigraphy update....................... 44 Cooperative mapping programs............................................................ 44 Activities on state dinosaur quarries ..................................................... 47 Grants for field geology fellowship awarded ......................................... 47 New publications on Wyoming geology ................................................ 48 References cited............................................................................... 49 Earthquakes in Wyoming.......................................................................... 49 Introduction ........................................................................................... 49 Causes of earthquakes......................................................................... 50 Earthquake measurements................................................................... 52 Modified Mercalli intensity scale....................................................... 52 Top ten earthquakes in Wyoming.......................................................... 53 Wyoming’s earthquake potential ........................................................... 54 What to do during an earthquake.......................................................... 55 Sources of additional information.......................................................... 55 Publications of Interest.......................................................................... 55 i Page Rock hound’s corner................................................................................. 56 Jade ...................................................................................................... 56 References cited............................................................................... 59 Staff profile – Alan J. Ver Ploeg................................................................ 59 New publications available ....................................................................... 61 New publications by the Wyoming State Geological Survey................. 61 Other publications now available from the Wyoming State Geological Survey ............................................. 62 New release of Wyoming topographic maps on CD-ROM.................... 63 ii MINERALS UPDATE OVERVIEW AND GENERAL COMMENTS Lance Cook State Geologist, Wyoming State Geological Survey Coalbed methane well spacing The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (WOGCC) has proposed special rule making for coalbed methane wells in the Powder River Basin. On Tuesday, May 16, 2000, Governor Jim Geringer signed a letter of approval for the Commission to amend Chapter 3, Section 2 of its rules to define the location of wells drilled to the Wasatch and Fort Union Formations. The exact language of the proposed rule is as follows: Chapter 3, Section 2. Location of Wells (All Lands Except Indian). (d) Any well drilled in the Powder River Basin projected to test the Ft. Union and/or Wasatch Formations shall be located in the center of the northeast quarter (NE1/4) and the center of the southwest quarter (SW1/4) of a one-hundred sixty (160) acre quarter section or lot or tract or combination of lots or tracts substantially equivalent thereto with a two- hundred foot (200’) tolerance in any direction from such center locations. All areas subject to existing orders for drilling and spacing units in the above-described area shall be exempt from the aforesaid well location requirements, as will all wells previously drilled or permitted. Further, this rule is vacated for all federal exploratory units in the Powder River Basin for the Ft. Union and/or Wasatch Formations provided that no well be drilled closer than four-hundred sixty feet (460’) from the exterior boundar- ies of a federal exploratory unit or any uncommitted tract within a federal exploratory unit. Upon unit contraction, lands deleted from the unit shall thereafter be subject to this rule. The effect of this proposed rule would be to create a well density of one well per 80 acres, rather than the present standard of one well per 40 acres. The Commission is charged by Wyoming statute to protect and conserve the natural resource and protect correlative rights by affording