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Coalbed Methane Exploration and Production

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "H: Geo-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 June 2024 | Viewed by 4976

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jie Zhu

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Guest Editor

School of Mechanics & Civil Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Interests: coalbed methane production; coal permeability; gas adsorption; pore size distribution; fracture geometry

Prof. Dr. Bo Wang

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Guest Editor

Information Institute of the Ministry of Emergency of PRC, Beijing 100029, China
Interests: coalbed methane production; coal permeability; gas adsorption; pore size distribution; fracture geometry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The commercial extraction of coalbed methane (CBM) is an important milestone in the history of the global oil and gas industry. Over past decades, coalbed methane was treated initially as a mining hazard and then as an unconventional gas resource. By 2050, global energy demand will have increased by nearly 50% compared with 2020—mostly as a result of non‐OECD economic and population growth, particularly in Asia. As an unconventional gas resource, the production of coalbed methane will continue grow to support increasing energy consumption. CBM accumulation and coal reservoir characteristics are controlled by deposition, structure, coal rank, and hydrology, as well as other geological factors. Enhancing CBM extraction and production requires making clear the reservoir geological characteristics and permeability evolution during CBM recovery, which is a challenge.

This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the most recent advances related to the theory, experiment, modeling, reserves estimation, and production control of coalbed methane exploration and exploitation.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

Coalbed methane production.
Coal mine methane control.
Mechanical behaviors of coal and rock masses.
Coal permeability modeling and testing.
Multifield coupling mechanism during CBM extraction.
Gas flow and multiphase flow.
Pore and fracture structures.
Coalbed methane geology.
CO₂ enhanced gas recovery.
Reservoir reserves estimation.

Prof. Dr. Jie Zhu
Prof. Dr. Bo Wang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

coalbed methane extraction
coal mine safety
reservoir mechanical characteristics
coalbed methane geology
coal permeability
multifield coupling enhanced production

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 16812 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sandstone Layer Connectivity and Its Control on Coalbed Methane (CBM) Accumulation Based on Sequence Stratigraphic Analysis: A Case Study of the Lower Shihezi Formation in Qinan Coal Mine, Xuzhou–Suzhou Region, China

by Kebin Wei, Zhenghui Qu, Weike Wan, Changxing Li, Qingtian Zhang, Wenjun Hou, Jie Luo and Shuo Ding

Energies 2024, 17(3), 634; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17030634 - 28 Jan 2024

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Abstract

The sandstone layer connectivity in coal measure strata is one of the key factors in CBM escape in underlying coal seams, which lacks systematic research currently. This study aimed to explore sandstone layer connectivity and its control on CBM accumulation, taking the Lower Shihezi Formation in Qinan Coal Mine, Xuzhou–Suzhou Region, China, as a case study; to do so, we studied the No. 7 coal CBM unit, the pore-rich sandstone layers, and their connectivity modes by performing sequence stratigraphic analysis on the borehole cores, the logging data, and the theory of sequence stratigraphy and sedimentology, combined with the accumulation characteristics of the No. 7 coal seam CBM. This study shows the following: (1) The sequence stratigraphic framework of the Lower Shihezi Formation in the research region consists of two third-class sequences and six system tracts. (2) The No. 7 coal seam CBM unit includes the CBM formation layer, the connectivity layer, and the stable capping layer. (3) There are 10 types of parasequences in the No. 7 coal connectivity layer, and the pore-rich sandstone layers are all located in the connectivity layer and connected in three modes (vertical connectivity, lateral connectivity, and non-connectivity). (4) The connectivity modes and the thickness of pore-rich sandstone layers control the CBM accumulation in the region. Where the pore-rich sandstone layers are thickest and display vertical connectivity, the strong CBM desorption and escape lead to low CBM; where the pore-rich sandstone layers are thinnest and unconnected, the weak to no CBM desorption and escape result in high CBM. (5) Three models for sandstone layer connectivity and its control on CBM accumulation include the CBM weak accumulation model with a strong source supply, large basin subsidence, and undercompensation deposition; the CBM moderate accumulation model with a moderate source supply, moderate basin subsidence, and overcompensation to isostatic compensation deposition; and the CBM strong accumulation model with a weak source supply, small basin subsidence, and undercompensation deposition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coalbed Methane Exploration and Production)

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19 pages, 5130 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geological and Geochemical Responses to Productivity of CBM Wells in the Baiyang River Block of the Southern Junggar Basin, China

by Bin Sun, Shuling Tang, Shu Tao, Shida Chen, Yuanhao Zhi, Bin Zhang and Yijie Wen

Energies 2023, 16(24), 8063; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16248063 - 14 Dec 2023

Viewed by 532

Abstract

The southern Junggar Basin, Xinjiang, has abundant coalbed methane (CBM) resources. Currently, the Baiyang River development pilot test area (BYR block for short) in the Fukang east block has achieved large-scale CBM development, but the productivity characteristics and its controlling factor are still unclear. Based on the field production data of the BYR block and experimental tests, this paper summarizes the gas and water production characteristics and presents the analysis results of the geological and geochemical responses to the productivity of CBM wells. The productivity of CBM wells in the BYR block was generally characterized as medium-to-low yield. The productivity was jointly controlled by the burial depth, structure condition, thickness and number of co-production coal seams, and hydrogeological conditions. The gas production first increased and then decreased with the increase in the burial depth of the coal seam, and a burial depth between 750 and 1000 m was the most beneficial to increasing the gas production due to the good gas preservation conditions and suitable permeability and stress conditions. The total thickness of the co-production coal seams had a positive effect on the productivity of gas wells, but the productivity was also affected by the number of co-production coal seams and interlayer interference. In the BYR block, the co-production of the nos. 41 and 42 coal seams was the most favorable combination form for CBM drainage. The productivity of CBM wells had a good response to the Na⁺, K⁺ and HCO₃⁻ concentrations but a poor response to δD-H₂O and δ18O-H₂O. Based on the concentrations of the main ions and TDSs of the coal seam water, a productivity response index δ* was established, and there was a good positive correlation between the productivity and δ*. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coalbed Methane Exploration and Production)

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20 pages, 6236 KiB

Open AccessArticle

South Anze Structure and Its Control on Coalbed Methane Aggregation in the Qinshui Basin and the Mechanism of Syncline Gas Enrichment in the Qinshui Basin

by Bo Wang, Qingtian Zhang, Zhenghui Qu and Yiteng Zhang

Energies 2023, 16(11), 4521; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16114521 - 04 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1044

Abstract

The phenomenon of coalbed-methane synclinal accumulation in the Qinshui Basin has been widely reported, but it has mainly been observed in the core block of the Qinshui Syncline. The questions arise: does this phenomenon exist in the wing of the Qinshui Syncline and, if so, what is the mechanism behind it? Further study is required to answer these questions. This paper focuses on the South Anze No. 3 coal seam in the Qinshui Basin as an example. It conducts a systematic sorting of coalbed-methane geological characteristics and an analysis of the effects of structural assemblage characteristics, genetic mechanisms, and structural control on coalbed-methane accumulation. Additionally, it examines the basin structure and evolution during the critical period of the Qinshui Basin, as well as the gas geological characteristics of adjacent areas, in order to discuss the gas-rich mechanism of the syncline in the Qinshui Basin. Key insights obtained from the study include the following: (i) The whole South Anze is a nosing structure that plunges from west to east and superposes secondary folds and faults in different directions. Four deformation zones can be identified based on the characteristics of structural assemblage, including NEN-oriented compressive structures, ENE-trend shear fractures, EW-trend compressive fractures, and EW-trend compressive folds. The formation of structural assemblage in the study area is attributed to the compression in the Indosinian and Yanshanian, and the fault inversion in the Himalayan period. (ii) The ENE-trend shear fracture deformation area located in the nosing uplift is a low CBM (coalbed methane) content area due to gas diffusion during the Himalayan extension. The syncline in the combination of NEN-trend and EW-trend “ejective folds” in the west and south of the study area is a high-value area of coalbed-methane content. It is further verified that the law of syncline gas accumulation in the Qinshui Basin is also applicable to the wing of the Qinshui Syncline. (iii) Since the formation of the Qinshui Syncline, the main coal seam has been in an extensional environment below the neutral plane, resulting in the main dissipation of coalbed methane. During its geological history, surface water penetrated the aquifer above the main coal seam through two channels: the extensional area above the neutral plane of the adjacent anticline and the shear fracture. A hydrostatic pressure seal is formed in the Qinshui Syncline and the secondary syncline is superimposed upon it, which is the cause of gas enrichment in the syncline of the Qinshui Basin. (iv) Weak deformation in the syncline basin is the focus of global coalbed-methane exploration and development. The mechanism proposed in this paper can provide ideas and references for further understanding of coalbed-methane enrichment in this type of basin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coalbed Methane Exploration and Production)

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24 pages, 5303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Comparison of Functionality between the Main Types of Methane Measurement Sensors in Mines

by José Luis Lorenzo-Bayona, David León, Isabel Amez, Blanca Castells and Ljiljana Medic

Energies 2023, 16(5), 2207; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16052207 - 24 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 932

Abstract

In recent years, coal mine methane measurement techniques in mines have been gaining importance as poor firedamp control in work can cause the interruption of production and even fatal accidents. Since there is currently a variety of methane measurement equipment with different functional characteristics and measurement principles, a study is needed to indicate which type of equipment has the highest degree of confidence. This research presents the results of a study carried out by the Official Laboratory J. M. Madariaga (LOM) of the Polytechnic University of Madrid that aims to analyze the reliability of methane detection systems used in underground mining. Therefore, a series of portable and non-portable methane detectors with different measurement principles have been selected to subject them to laboratory tests following the methods described in the applicable regulations, such as time of response, dust effect, temperature, pressure, etc. The test equipment is usually the one used in the certification and calibration of these devices, subject to the LOM quality system. The results of these tests allowed for defining a marking system that led to a ranking of the tested methane detectors in order to find the advantages and disadvantages of each type. From the performed tests, a summary of the main sources of sensor inaccuracy was reported. It was found that catalytic sensors might present significant deviations when testing high concentrations in short periods of time or low concentrations during long periods of time. On the other hand, devices with an interferometric sensor can be unreliable as the measures are very sensitive to changes in environmental conditions, and optical sensors present longer response times than catalytic sensors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coalbed Methane Exploration and Production)

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19 pages, 4461 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Semianalytical Model for the Relationship between Formation Pressure and Water Saturation in Coalbed Methane Reservoirs

by Long Yang, Yizhong Zhang, Maolin Zhang and Bin Ju

Energies 2023, 16(2), 875; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16020875 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1197

Abstract

The accuracy of the relationship between formation pressure and water saturation has a direct impact on predicting the production performance of coal reservoirs. As a result, researchers are becoming more interested in this connection. The most commonly used method to evaluate this connection is the semianalytic method, but it disregards the impact of coal matrix shrinkage on pore compressibility, resulting in inaccurate water saturation estimations for coal reservoirs. A material balance equation that considers the effect of coal matrix shrinkage on cleat porosity and pore compressibility, as well as the gas–water relative permeability curve, is used for the first time in this study to establish a model between pressure and water saturation. Furthermore, this study extends the proposed pressure–saturation model to predict cumulative gas production and gas recovery, resolving the difficult problem of calculating recovery for coalbed methane reservoirs. To verify its accuracy, this study compares the proposed method with numerical simulations and previous methods; the results of the comparison show that the water saturation under formation pressure calculated by the method proposed in this study is closer to the results of the numerical simulation. Sun’s model ignores the effect of matrix shrinkage on pore compressibility, resulting in larger calculation results. The findings of this study indicate that the effect of coal matrix shrinkage on pore compressibility cannot be ignored, and that the proposed method can replace numerical simulation as a simple and accurate method for water saturation evaluation, which can be applied to predict cumulative gas and recovery estimation for closed coalbed methane reservoirs. The proposed method increases the accuracy of the semianalytical method and broadens its application. It is critical for the prediction of coal reservoir production performance and forecasting of production dynamics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coalbed Methane Exploration and Production)

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