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Public Well Points for Rosebud-Robinson coal zone

Metadata also available as - [Outline] - [Parseable text] - [DIF]

Frequently-anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title: Public Well Points for Rosebud-Robinson coal zone
Abstract:
This ArcView shapefile contains a point representation of drill hole and outcrop data points in the coal resource assessment of the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone, Colstrip coalfield, Montana. This theme was created specifically for the National Coal Resources Assessment in the Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains Region.
Supplemental_Information:
This theme represents a digital point coverage showing the location of 108 non-confidential drill holes used in the assessment of total coal resources in the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone in the Colstrip coal field, Montana. Only drill holes penetrating the entire (or preserved) Rosebud-Robinson coal zone are included in the theme. Much of the drill hole data used in the Colstrip coal field study was previously compiled in the U.S. Geological Survey National Coal Resources Data System (NCRDS), although some additional drill hole data furnished by the operators of the Rosebud coal mine was also incorporated into this study. These data were all collated in a commercial relational database (Stratifact; GRG Corporation). Subsequently, a process of point data verification and editing was initiated, particularly for the NCRDS data. These data were cross-checked with published or unpublished drill hole records (when available) that included information on drill hole location and surface elevation with accompanying geophysical logs, cuttings descriptions and/or core logs from which coal thickness and depth could be determined. In the case of cuttings or core descriptions, coal thickness and depth were taken directly from the written reports. When geophysical logs were used, however, coal thickness and depth were measured from original analog prints or copies of the logs. Types of geophysical logs typically used for coal measurements include natural-gamma (gamma ray), gamma-gamma density (bulk density) and resistivity (or resistance) logs. Caliper logs, which measure variations in the drill hole diameter, were used in conjunction with density logs to verify that low density log deflections were in response to coal rather than drill hole washout. When no additional records other than those reported in NCRDS for a specific drill hole could be located, we compared the NCRDS information with data from wells nearby to determine the validity and usefulness of those data. Once the point data were collated and edited for stratigraphic and coal geologic content, the point data set was imported into ARCVIEW and converted to a shapefile for incorporation as a theme in the ARCVIEW project. Only public drill hole information is included in the theme. The point data theme is linked to a table that includes a USGS point identification number (internal designation); the source of the drill hole information (company or agency) and the published or alternative drill hole identification number; the surface elevation (in feet) of the drill hole; the total depth (in feet) of the drill hole; drill hole location reported by section, township and range; the total, net coal thickness (in feet) for coal beds in the Rosebud-Robinson coal zone in each drill hole; the number of beds within the coal zone; the 7.5' quadrangle in which the well was drilled; the well type (coal exploratory or oil and gas test); and the drill hole location in coordinates of latitude and longitude. Except for drill hole data furnished by the operators of the Rosebud coal mine, drill hole locations (x,y) in coordinates of latitude and longitude came directly from the National Coal Resources Data System (NCRDS), and thus, the accuracy of the well locations cannot be fully verified in all cases. Common abbreviations used in the sources of drill holes are as follows; USGS for the U.S. GeologicalSurvey; MBMG for the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology; Bur of Rec or USBR for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; BLM for the Bureau of Land Management; and MMS for the Minerals Management Service.
  1. How should this data set be cited?

    U.S. Geological Survey Central Energy Resources Team, 19990930, Public Well Points for Rosebud-Robinson coal zone: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1625-A, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -107.2141
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -106.5371
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 45.9781
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 45.6847

  3. What does it look like?

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Calendar_Date: 1999
    Currentness_Reference: Publication Date

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      This is a Point data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):

      • Point (108)

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest .0001. Longitudes are given to the nearest .0001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum 1927.
      The ellipsoid used is Clarke 1866.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378206.4.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/294.98.

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    rspts.dbf
    Shapefile Attribute Table (Source: None)


Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    USGS Central Region Energy Resources Team
    c/o Steve Roberts
    Box 25046 MS 939
    Denver Federal Center
    Denver, CO 80225-0046
    USA

    303.236.7788 (voice)


Why was the data set created?

The Nation's coal resources are being assessed by the USGS. This assessment identifies and characterizes the coal beds and coal zones that will provide the bulk of the Nation's coal-derived energy during the next few decades. This assessment is different from previous USGS assessments because digital files and databases are being collected and stored in standardized formats,and being analyzed using a Geographic Information System (GIS).


How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

    None (source 1 of 4)
    U.S. Geological Survey and Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology(comp.), 1982, Coal drilling during 1980 in Big Horn, Dawson, McCone, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Rosebud, and Treasure Counties, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 82-026.

    Type_of_Source_Media: paper
    Source_Contribution: Various drill hole locations within the dataset.

    None (source 2 of 4)
    U.S. Geological Survey and Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology(comp.), 1977, Geophysical logs for Dawson, McCone, Richland, and Rosebud Counties, Montana; Chapter F of Preliminary report of 1977 coal drilling in eastern Montana and northeastern Wyoming;: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 77-721-F.

    Type_of_Source_Media: paper
    Source_Contribution: Various drill hole locations within dataset

    None (source 3 of 4)
    Mine(comp.), Rosebud, Unpublished material, Unpublished geophysical logs and core descriptions from coal exploratory drilling in the Rosebud Mine furnished by the Western Energy Company.

    Type_of_Source_Media: paper
    Source_Contribution: Various drill hole locations within dataset

    None (source 4 of 4)
    U.S. Geological Survey(ed.), Unpublished material, Unpublished geophysical logs from coal exploratory drilling projects of the U.S. Geological Survey.

    Type_of_Source_Media: paper
    Source_Contribution: Various drill hole locations within dataset

  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

    Date: 1999 (process 1 of 1)
    Much of the drill hole data used in the Colstrip coal field study was previously compiled in the U.S. Geological Survey National Coal Resources Data System (NCRDS), although some additional drill hole data furnished by the operators of the Rosebud coal mine was also incorporated into this study. These data were all collated in a commercial relational database (Stratifact; GRG Corporation). Subsequently, a process of point data verification and editing was initiated, particularly for the NCRDS data. These data were cross-checked with published or unpublished drill hole records (when available) that included information on drill hole location and surface elevation with accompanying geophysical logs, cuttings descriptions and/or core logs from which coal thickness and depth could be determined. In the case of cuttings or core descriptions, coal thickness and depth were taken directly from the written reports. When geophysical logs were used, however, coal thickness and depth were measured from original analog prints or copies of the geophysical logs. Types of geophysical logs typically used for coal measurements include natural-gamma (gamma ray), gamma-gamma density (bulk density) and resistivity (or resistance) logs. Caliper logs, which measure variations in the drill hole diameter, were used in conjunction with density logs to verify that low density log deflections were in response to coal rather than drill hole washout. When no additional records other than those reported in NCRDS for a specific drill hole could be located, we compared the NCRDS information with data from wells nearby to determine the validity and usefulness of those data. Once the point data were collated and edited for stratigraphic and coal geologic content, the point data set was imported into ARCVIEW and converted to a shapefile for incorporation as a theme in the ARCVIEW project. Only public drill hole information is included in the theme.

    Person who carried out this activity:

    USGS Central Region Energy Resources Team
    c/o Steve Roberts
    Box 25046 MS 939
    Denver Federal Center
    Denver, CO 80225-0046

    303.236.7788 (voice)

  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?


How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    No tests were performed

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    Limited to software coordinate precision of geographic coordinates

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    Data is limited to the Colstrip coalfield area.

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    Polygon features present


How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints: None

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 2)

    USGS Information Services
    Box 25286 Denver Federal Center
    Denver, CO 80225-0046
    USA

    1-888-ASK-USGS (voice)
    1-303-202-4693 (FAX)

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    USGS Professional Paper 1625-A

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    This Compact Disc-Read Only Memory(CD-ROM) publication was prepared by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed in this report, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference therein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof.
    Although all data and software published on this CD-ROM have been used by the USGS, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS as to the accuracy of the data and related materials and (or) the functioning of the software. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the USGS in the use of this data, software, or related materials.

  4. How can I download or order the data?


  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 2 of 2)

    USGS Central Region Energy Resources Team
    Box 25046 MS 939
    Denver, CO 80225-0046
    USA

    303.236.1647 (voice)

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    The US Geological Survey provides these geographic data "as is." The USGS makes no guarantee or warranty concerning the accuracy of information contained in this geographic data. The USGS further makes no warranties, either expressed or implied as to any other matter whatsoever, including, without limitation, the condition of the product, or its fitness for any particular purpose. The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely with the user. Although these data have been processed successfully on USGS computers, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS regarding the use of these data on any other system, nor does the fact of distribution constitute or imply any such warranty. In no event shall the USGS have any liability whatsoever for payment of any consequential, incidental, indirect, special, or tort damages of any kind, including, but not limited to, any loss of profits arising out of use of or reliance on the geographic data or arising out of the delivery, installation, operation, or support by the USGS.

  4. How can I download or order the data?


Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 1999
Metadata author:
USGS Central Region Energy Resources Team
c/o Steve Roberts
Box 25046 MS 939
Denver Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225-0046
USA

303.236.7788 (voice)

Metadata standard:
FGDC CSDGM (FGDC-STD-001-1998)


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