Hydrocarbon potential and stratigraphy of the Pictured Cliffs, Fruitland and Ojo Alamo Formations in the northeastern San Juan Basin.
— William F. Hoppe

The northeastern portion of the San Juan Basin has had far less drilling activity than the central producing areas. Recent methane gas discoveries in the Ojo Alamo Sandstone, Fruitland coal seams and Pictured Cliffs Sandstone have increased interest in this area of the basin. Exploiting effective natural fractures is necessary for commercial production from the Pictured Cliffs and most likely from the Fruitland coals. In both the surface and subsurface, the Fruitland coal interval has been intruded by igneous rocks. The Ojo Alamo produces from primary porosity and permeability in a probable stratigraphic-structural trap. Explorafionists must be adept in mapping lineament trends and will probably find numerous faults and folds in the subsurface.