Reflectance measurements of well cuttings from Ashley and Bradley Counties, Arkansas

Vitrinite reflectance measurements were determined for twenty-three well cuttings samples from Ashley and Bradley Counties, Arkansas, to evaluate coal rank and coalbed gas potential in the Desha Basin of the southern Missisissippi Embayment. Samples were selected from the Norman F. Williams Well Sample Library using geophysical logs to identify coaly shale and coal intervals from conventional oil and gas wells. Results indicate that maturation of vitrinite ranges from lignite to subbituminous B in the Wilcox Group (Paleocene-Eocene) at depths of 1400 to 2300 feet, and from subbituminous C to subbituminous A/high volatile bituminous C in the Trinity Group/Hosston Formation (Lower Cretaceous) at depths of 3000 to 3100 feet.