[cripplecreek]

In 1911 Michigan's first commercial natural gas well began production. The tabulation of "Reported Discoveries of Gas in Michigan" in the Geological Survey Bulletins is longer than the oil well list and included 116 wells. These were mostly located in ­southeastern Michigan, including Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair and Wayne counties as well as in Manistee County in western Michigan. Many of the early natural gas discoveries were most likely made not as a result of a search for oil or natural gas but were instead test wells drilled for salt or for fresh water. Strong flows of gas from water wells are not unusual in southeastern Michigan and sometimes the shallower rims of the basin can still provide a surprise. In the mid 1980s holes drilled to provide footings for a highway overpass in St. Clair County "blew out" with natural gas. The flow of gas from these early wells was usually quite small. The largest volume of natural gas was in St. Clair County were wells supplied "several families" in one case, "pumps, drills and two houses" in another case and "one house" in a number of instances.

Michigan Oil and Natural Gas Exploration Before 1925

[HiTech RedNeck]

I wonder if lemons can’t be made out of such lemonade situations. If a water well produces methane, then put a separator in the well and bottle up the methane. And/or supply natural gas to yourself and/or neighbors. And/or sink community wells for that purpose.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Duh! I mean lemonade made of such lemon situations of course. The Rats would want to turn the lemonade back into lemons.

[Abathar]

I grew up in Brighton, on Kensington road which climbs the highest hill in Livingston county, where the GM proving grounds sit. Half way up the hill and directly across the road from my FILs property is a very large gas well that was put in back in the early eighties.. That well was a large find, the guy who’s property it sits on is very well paid each month, so I can’t believe it is only getting enough gas to compare to what you just mentioned. Rumors were floated about how much gas they found there, but I remember it was enough to put in a “sweetener plant” for it, whatever that is.