Low-BTU Gas in the Permian Chase Group in the Ryersee Field in Western Kansas: A Case History where Technology Creates a Marketable Commodity

Kansas Geological Survey Open-file Report 2003-57

1. Low-BTU gas (520 BTU/scf) is present in Permian Chase Group dolomites at Ryersee Field in Ness County, KS. This gas is structurally trapped on the Bazine Anticline.
2. The major nonhydrocarbon gases accounting for the low-BTU gas at Ryersee Field are nitrogen (48.6%) and helium (1.4%). The hydrocarbon component is mostly methane.
3. The chemical composition of this gas is different from Chase-Group gas so prevalent in the giant Permian gas fields of southwestern Kansas. Instead, it bears a separate affinity to other low-BTU Chase-Group gas accumulations present on the Central Kansas uplift and Sedgwick basin.
4. Low-BTU gases in Permian strata appear to be widespread in central Kansas and may increase in quality (i.e., BTU/scf) southeastward of Ryersee Field. Concomitantly, nitrogen and helium content will likely decrease in that direction.
5. Production and upgrading of the low-BTU gas at Ryersee Field is now being attempted. Both the helium and hydrocarbon component gases will be sold.
6. The gas processing facility is one of the smallest of its type and was not economically feasible even a few years ago.
7. Additional discoveries of low-BTU gas in the Chase Group are being made on the Bazine Anticline in the immediate vicinity of Ryersee Field.

References Cited

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