Our nation and our world have relied too long on the finite reserves of oil and coal. Even more discouraging is the waste of methane as a by-product from the process of mining coal.

Department of Energy incentives and new technologies for capturing, processing, and utilizing coal mine and coal bed methane are contributing to the practical reality of harnessing this source of energy. Mitchell Drilling is excited to be a part of this new energy enterprise in the Illinois Basin by participating in Illinois Methane, LLC. Spearheaded by George DeMier of DeMier Oil in Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Tulsa, Oklahoma, this visionary venture is co-managed with Gail Runnels, a Tulsa attorney and Chris Mitchell.

Mitchell emphasizes that, "Not only are we finding new ways to capture methane and convert it to useful energy, we are also reducing its environmental threat."

In December of 2004, Illinois Methane, LLC sold its coal mine methane project. On going research and development continues with over 100 thousand acres of coalbed methane rights.

Additional information on this venture is available by contacting Chris Mitchell at 618-382-2343 or at nrgy@mitchell-drilling.com.