Investigation of tar sand and heavy oil deposits of Utah for underground coal gasification applications

A literature review was conducted to determine spatial and geological relationships between Utah's tar sand or heavy oil deposits and coal deposits and to evaluate these relationships in terms of suitability for underground coal gasification (UCG) applications. The investigation was undertaken as part of a Department of Energy sponsored project to find new uses for UCG technology by utilizing process heat or combustible gases from UCG in thermal recovery of oil from unconventional sources. Fifteen of Utah1s tar sand or heavy oil deposits are located within 5 miles of suitable coal deposits which is the maximum distance considered economically practical for transport of UCG gases. Six of these deposits may be suitable for on-site development where UCG could be conducted in coal beds directly under the oil reservoirs. Substantial portions of four major tar sand or heavy oil deposits are included in the resources suitable for UCG applications i.e. Sunnyside Asphalt Ridge Northwest and Raven Ridge. However, total resources cannot be calculated directly from published data.