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Grove water well gas sent to USA for tests

Mar 28, 2009 News

Samples of the gas taken from the well that erupted in Grove New Housing Scheme earlier this month were yesterday sent to a laboratory in the USA for tests that could help to ascertain whether it has commercial value.
Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) official, Newell Dennison, yesterday told the Kaieteur News that the samples of the gas, which initial tests indicate high levels of methane and which were sent to the Isotech Laboratories Inc in Illinois, USA, will determine whether the gas is thermogenic or biogenic.
Dennison said that if the gas is thermogenic – meaning that it has its source in petroleum, it would be of significant interest to the GGMC, which is looking for petroleum.
It could also have commercial value but the volume of the gas would also have to be determined and that he said would be another expensive undertaking.
If, on the other hand it is biogenic it would be of less interest.
He is hoping that the results of the tests, which would also analyse the composition of the gas, could be delivered within another six weeks time.
Describing the “very aggressive venting” at Grove, East Bank Demerara as the most significant seen on the coast, Dennison said that he would have liked the finding to be in a remote area so that its flow could be controlled and diverted to use for some industrial development.
Earlier, the vent spewed mud and water over 40 feet in the air.
He noted that over the year a number of vigorous vents of methane gas have been found at Bath Settlement in Berbice, Corentyne Coast, Charity, Leguan, Wakenaam, Pomeroon, and in the North West District.
Except for one or two areas, he said, most of the samples tested showed that the methane gas was biogenic.
However, tests of samples taken from the Pomeroon indicated that the gas was thermogenic in character but also masked by biogenic features.
In the meantime, he said that the GGMC would continue to monitor the area in Grove to see whether there are changes to the immediate environment. However, he feels that because of the amount of earth – about 30 to 40 truckloads – spewed on account of the gas, the foundation of the nearby edifice could be compromised.
Because of this he has advised the owner of the property to consult a structural engineer.
According to the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, methane is the major component of natural gas about 87 per cent by volume. At room temperature and standard pressure, methane is colorless and odorless. It is not toxic, but it highly flammable and may form explosive mixtures with air.

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