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Bulletin 2008-23

May 15, 2008

Consolidation of Upper Horseshoe Canyon Coal Zones for CBM

The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) designates pools, pursuant to Section 33 of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act. Under Sections 11.145(1)(a) and (b) and 11.145(2) of the Oil and Gas Conservation Regulations, the licensee of a coalbed methane (CBM) control well is required to submit segregated data on each coal zone for pressure and flow, as well as data on each coal zone for desorption. The ERCB recognizes that the value in obtaining desorption and segregated pressure and flow data is reduced in those cases where the coal seams are thin or discontinuous or cannot be correlated over a reasonable area. The ERCB believes this is the case for some of the Upper Horseshoe Canyon coals and has therefore decided to change the administration of those coal zones.

The coal zones previously designated as DALY, WEAV (Weaver), and GDNP (Garden Plain) have been amalgamated into one zone to be called UHSC (Upper Horseshoe Canyon coals).  Therefore, in accordance with CBM control well requirements, the UHSC will be administered as a single unit for data collection purposes. The other designated coals of the Horseshoe Canyon Formation do not meet the above criteria and will remain as separate coal zones requiring segregated testing and collection of desorption data.

For further information, please contact Curtis Evans at 403-297-8386 or curtis.evans@ercb.ca .

<original signed by>

C. D. Hill
Executive Manager
Resources Branch