Table Of ContentAnalyses 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
