Understanding poromechanical response of a biogenic coalbed methane reservoir

Biogenic coalbed methane(BCBM)reservoirs aim to produce methane from in situ coal deposits following microbial conversion of coal.Success of BCBM reservoirs requires economic methane production within an acceptable timeframe.The work reported here quantifies the findings of previously published qualitative work,where it was found that bioconversion induces strains in the pore,matrix and bulk scales.Using imaging and dynamic strain monitoring techniques,the bioconversion induced strain is quantified here.To understand the effect of these strains from a reservoir geomechanics perspective,a corresponding poromechanical model is developed.Furthermore,findings of imaging experiments are validated using core-flooding flow experiments.Finally,expected field-scale behavior of the permeability response of a BCBM operation is modeled and analyzed.The results of the study indicated that,for Illinois coals,bioconversion induced strains result in a decrease in fracture porosity,resulting in a detrimental permeability drop in excess of 60%during bioconversion,which festers itself exponentially throughout its producing life.Results indicate that reservoirs with high initial permeability that will support higher Darcian flowrates,would be better suited for coal bioconversion,thereby providing a site-selection criteria for BCBM operations.

Graded and Quantitative Technology and Application of Coal-Bearing Reservoir Based on Seismic Reflection Characteristics

Taiyuan formation is the main exploration strata in Ordos Basin, and coals are widely developed. Due to the interference of strong reflection of coals, we cannot completely identify the effective reservoir information of coal-bearing reservoir on seismic data. Previous researchers have studied the reservoir by stripping or weakening the strong reflection, but it is difficult to determine the effectiveness of the remaining reflection seismic data. In this paper, through the establishment of 2D forward model of coal-bearing strata, the corresponding geophysical characteristics of different reflection types of coal-bearing strata are analyzed, and then the favorable sedimentary facies zones for reservoir development are predicted. On this basis, combined with seismic properties, the coal-bearing reservoir is quantitatively characterized by seismic inversion. The above research shows that the Taiyuan formation in LS block of Ordos Basin is affected by coals and forms three or two peaks in different locations. The reservoir plane sedimentary facies zone is effectively characterized by seismic reflection structure. Based on the characteristics of sedimentary facies belt and petrophysical analysis, the reservoir is semi quantitatively characterized by attribute analysis and waveform indication, and quantitatively characterized by pre stack geostatistical inversion. Based on the forward analysis of coal measure strata, this technology characterizes the reservoir facies belt through seismic reflection characteristics, and describes coal measure reservoirs step by step. It effectively guides the exploration of LS block in Ordos Basin, and has achieved good practical application effect.

In-situ stress of coal reservoirs in the Zhengzhuang area of the southern Qinshui Basin and its effects on coalbed methane development

In-situ stress is a critical factor influencing the permeability of coal reservoirs and the production capacity of coalbed methane(CBM)wells.Accurate prediction of in-situ stress and investigation of its influence on coal reservoir permeability and production capacity are significant for CBM development.This study investigated the CBM development zone in the Zhengzhuang area of the Qinshui Basin.According to the low mechanical strength of coal reservoirs,this study derived a calculation model of the in-situ stress of coal reservoirs based on the multi-loop hydraulic fracturing method and analyzed the impacts of initial fractures on the calculated results.Moreover,by combining the data such as the in-situ stress,permeability,and drainage and recovery data of CBM wells,this study revealed the spatial distribution patterns of the current in-situ stress of the coal reservoirs and discussed the impacts of the insitu stress on the permeability and production capacity.The results are as follows.(1)Under given fracturing pressure,longer initial fractures are associated with higher calculated maximum horizontal principal stress values.Therefore,ignoring the effects of the initial fractures will cause the calculated values of the in-situ stress to be less than the actual values.(2)As the burial depth increases,the fracturing pressure,closure pressure,and the maximum and minimum horizontal principal stress of the coal reservoirs in the Zhengzhuang area constantly increase.The average gradients of the maximum and minimum horizontal principal stress are 3.17 MPa/100 m and 2.05 MPa/100 m,respectively.(3)Coal reservoir permeability is significantly controlled by the magnitude and state of the current in-situ stress.The coal reservoir permeability decreases exponentially with an increase in the effective principal stress.Moreover,a low lateral pressure coefficient(less than 1)is associated with minor horizontal compressive effects and high coal reservoir permeability.(4)Under similar conditions,such as resource endowments,CBM well capacity is higher in primary structural coal regions with moderate paleotectonic stress modification,low current in-situ stress,and lateral pressure coefficient of less than 1.

Coalbed Methane-bearing Characteristics and Reservoir Physical Properties of Principal Target Areas in North China

The coalbed methane (CBM) resources in North China amounts up to 60% of total resources in China. North China is the most important CBM accumulation area in China. The coal beds of the Upper Paleozoic Taiyuan and Shanxi formations have a stable distribution. The coal reservoir of target areas such as Jincheng, Yanquan-Shouyang, Hancheng, Liulin, etc. have good CBM-bearing characteristics, high permeability and appropriate reservoir pressure, and these areas are the preferred target areas of CBM developing in China. The coal reservoirs of Wupu, Sanjiaobei, Lu'an, Xinmi, Anyang-Hebi, Jiaozuo, Xinggong and Huainan also have as good CBM-bearing characteristics, but the physical properties of coal reservoirs vary observably. So, further work should be taken to search for districts with high pressure, high permeability and good CBM-bearing characteristics. Crustal stresses have severe influence on the permeability of coal reservoirs in North China. From west to east, the crustal stress gradient increases, while the coal reservoirs permeability decreases.

Predicting the height of water-flow fractured zone during coal mining under the Xiaolangdi Reservoir

It is very important to determine the extent of the fractured zone through which water can flow before coal mining under the water bodies.This paper deals with methods to obtain information about overburden rock failure and the development of the fractured zone while coal mining in Xin'an Coal Mine.The risk of water inrush in this mine is great because 40%of the mining area is under the Xiaolangdi reservoir.Numerical simulations combined with geophysical methods were used in this paper to obtain the development law of the fractured zone under different mining conditions.The comprehensive geophysical method described in this paper has been demonstrated to accurately predict the height of the water-flow fractured zone.Results from the new model, which created from the results of numerical simulations and field measurements,were successfully used for making decisions in the Xin'an Coal Mine when mining under the Xiaolangdi Reservoir.Industrial scale experiments at the number 11201,14141 and 14191 working faces were safely carried out.These achievements provide a successful background for the evaluation and application of coal mining under large reservoirs.

Understanding of mineral change mechanisms in coal mine groundwater reservoir and their influences on effluent water quality:a experimental study

This paper presents results of an experimental study to characterize the law of mineral change of fallen rock in coal mine groundwater reservoir ant its influence on water quality.The minerals of the underground reservoir of Daliuta Coal Mine is taken as the research object.Simulation experiments were designed and conducted to simulate water–rock action in the laboratory.The mineral composition was analyzed by X-ray diffractometer(XRD),the surface morphology of the mineral was analyzed by scanning electron microscope(SEM),and the specific surface area,total pore volume and average pore diameter of the mineral were measured by fast specific surface/pore analyzer(BET).The experimental results show that the sandstone and mudstone in the groundwater reservoir of Daliuta Coal Mine account for 70%and 30%,respectively.The pore diameter is 15.62–17.55 nm,and pore volume is 0.035 cc/g.Its pore structure is a key factor in the occurrence of water–rock interaction.According to the water–rock simulation experiment,the quartz content before the water–rock action is about 34.28%,the albite is about 21.84%,the feldspar is about 17.48%,and the kaolinite is about 8.00%.After the water–rock action,they are 36.14%,17.78%,11.62%,and 16.75%,respectively.The content of albite and orthoclase is reduced while the content of kaolinite is increased,that is,the Na+content becomes higher,and the Ca2+and Mg2+contents become lower.This research builds a good theoretical foundation for revealing the role of water and rock in underground coal reservoirs.

Mathematical Simulation of Cleat Porosity in Coal Reservoir

Cleat system of coal reservoir is one of the main migrating passage of coalbed methane (CBM). The development of cleat system has important influence on both the preservation of CBM in geological history and surface CBM exploitation. The relationship among cleat porosity, net confine pressure, rock mechanics, coal seam’s occurrence and other factors of coal reservoir is established and simulated based on the energy conservation law. The result indicates that the net confine pressure and buried depth of coalbed are the major control factors of cleat porosity. The extensive stress and abnormal high reservoir pressure can make cleats open thus increase tbe cleat porosity; while the overburden pressure and compressive stress make cleats close and decrease the cleat porosity. The influence of occurrence (dip and dip angle) of coalbed on cleat porosity depends on the change of the above mentioned factors. It is also affected by rock mechanics parameters to some extent, while water-gas saturation and reservoir temperature have little effect on cleat porosity. The above conclusions are of great significance in geological exploration and surface exploitation region determination of CBM.

Impact of Reservoir Properties on the Production of the Mannville Coal Measures, South Central Alberta from a Numerical Modelling Parametric Analysis

Numerical simulations are used to investigate the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic reservoir properties on the production from coal and organic rich lithologies in the Lower Cretaceous Mannville coal measures of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. The coal measures are complex reservoirs in which production is from horizontal wells drilled and completed in the thickest coal seam in the succession (1 m versus 3 m), which has production and pressure support from thinner coals in the adjacent stratigraphy and from organic-rich shales interbedded and over and underlying the coal seams. Numerical models provide insight as to the relative importance of the myriad of parameters that may impact production that are not self-evident or intuitive in complex coal measures.

Coal reservoir characteristics and their controlling factors in the eastern Ordos basin in China

In the eastern Ordos basin, due to the diversity of the tectonic setting, coal rank, gas content and permeability, coal reservoirs have differing characteristics. In this paper, based on coal reservoir geometry, gas content, adsorption capacity, pores and fissures developments and permeability data, the coalbed methane(CBM) reservoir characteristics and their controlling factors in the eastern Ordos basin is discussed. The results show that, due to undergoing different paleo-temperatures in the geological history,coal rank has a higher trend from the north part to the south and from the shallow part to the inward basin, which determines CBM distribution and recoverability. In the north, although having large coal thickness and high permeability, Zhungeer-Xingxian coal rank is low, and gas content is small. In the central part, with medium rank, higher gas content and relatively high permeability, and the Wubao-Liulin area is the most favorable area in the eastern Ordos basin. In the southern part, medium and high metamorphism coal occurs, and although having the highest gas content, the permeability in the Hancheng area is low due to the development of sheared coal.

A New Discovery on the Deformation Behavior of Shale Gas Reservoirs Affecting Pore Morphology in the Juhugeng Coal Mining Area of Qinghai Province, Northwest China

Objective The Juhugeng mining area in Qinghai Province of northwest China has attracted wide attention among geologists for it hosts typical coal measure gases.The shale gas reservoirs were reformed by intensive structural movements during geological periods,

Response of coal reservoir porosity to magma intrusion in the Shandong Qiwu Mine,China

Qiwu 矿位于山东省的十块 Xian 煤地。它经历了重复暴烈的活动，在形成的煤床以后，在岩浆侵入是重要的的地方。在岩浆侵入以后的煤水库孔的效果被分析学习地区性并且矿结构和 magmatic 活动。包括在显微镜和水银 porosimetry 下面的 maceral 测量的试验性的方法被用于测试毛孔结构。作者相信进低等级的沥青的煤的那岩浆侵入引起水库孔逐渐地增加：到 magmatic 岩石，一件样品越靠近，越不孔。毛孔尺寸分发也变化。在自然的煤床上，毛孔尺寸主要在及物、中间的毛孔范围。然而，煤改变到白煤，靠着 magmatic，岩石和更大的毛孔统治。热进化近引起了煤到要烤的 magmatic 岩石的地区性的岩浆，减少了不稳定的事，开发了更大的洞，并且破坏了植物织物洞。为在 magmatic 岩石的附近的孔减少的主要原因是源于烤的 Bituminite 充满开始是在场的洞。

Biological Permeability Enhancement Technology for Coal Reservoir

Objective Despite the adoption of various permeability enhancement technologies,the low permeability of coal reservoir has not been fundamentally improved for the development of coalbed methane（CBM）on the ground or the control of gas underground.

Comprehensive analysis of CBM recovery in high rank coal reservoir of Jincheng area

Coalbed methane (CBM) predicting recovery in high rank coal reservoir varies greatly in Jincheng area and it seriously influences efficient and economic exploitation of CBM resource. In order to predict more accurate CBM recovery, we conducted history matching and productivity prediction of vertical well by using COMET 3 reservoir modeling software, innovatively adopted the gas desorption experiment of bulk coal at fixed test pressure, analyzed the recovery extent method of Daning multiple-hole horizontal well and Panzhuang well group, and calculated recovery by sorption isotherm method of 14 vertical CBM wells at the abandonment pressures 1.0, 0.7, 0.5 and 0.3 MPa, respectively. The results show that the reservoir simulation methods (numerical simulation method and the recovery extent method) is more reliable than the theoretical analysis of coal sample (sorption isotherm method and desorption experiment method). Also, desorption experiment method at fixed pressure is superior to sorption isotherm method. Through the comprehensive analysis and linear correction, CBM recovery ratios in high rank coal reservoir of Jincheng area were found to be 38.64%, 49.30%, 59.30%, and 69.20% at the abandonment pressures 1.0, 0.7, 0.5 and 0.3 MPa, respectively. The research results are of significant importance in the CBM exploration and development in Jincheng area.

Physical simulation of hydrodynamic conditions in high rank coalbed methane reservoir formation

In order to select highly productive and enriched areas of high rank coalbed methane reservoirs,based on hydrologic geology as one of the main factors controlling coalbed methane(CBM) reservoir formations,the effect of hydrodynamic forces controlling CBM reservoir formations was studied by a physical simulation experiment in which we used CBM reservoir simulation facilities.The hydrodynamic conditions of high coal rank reservoirs in the Qinshui basin were analyzed.Our experiment shows the following results:under strong hydrodynamic alternating action,δC1 of coalbed methane reservoir changed from the start at -2.95%～-3.66%,and the lightening process occurred in phases;the CH4 volume reduced from 96.35% to 12.42%;the CO2 volume decreased from 0.75% in sample 1 to 0.68% in sample 2,then rose to 1.13% in sample 3;the N2 volume changed from 2.9% in sample 1 to 86.45% in sample 3.On one hand,these changes show the complexity of CBM reservoir formation;on the other hand,they indicate that strong hydrodynamic actions have an unfavorable impact on CBM reservoir formation.It was found that the gas volume and hydrodynamic intensity were negatively correlated and low hydrodynamic flow conditions might result in highly productive and enriched areas of high rank CBM.

Structure and production fluid flow pattern of post-fracturing high-rank coal reservoir in Southern Qinshui Basin

Field geological work, field engineering monitoring, laboratory experiments and numerical simulation were used to study the development characteristics of pore-fracture system and hydraulic fracture of No.3 coal reservoir in Southern Qinshui Basin. Flow patterns of methane and water in pore-fracture system and hydraulic fracture were discussed by using limit method and average method. Based on the structure model and flow pattern of post-fracturing high-rank coal reservoir, flow patterns of methane and water were established. Results show that seepage pattern of methane in pore-fracture system is linked with pore diameter, fracture width, coal bed pressure and flow velocity. While in hydraulic fracture, it is controlled by fracture height, pressure and flow velocity. Seepage pattern of water in pore-fracture system is linked with pore diameter, fracture width and flow velocity. While in hydraulic fracture, it is controlled by fracture height and flow velocity. Pores and fractures in different sizes are linked up by ultramicroscopic fissures, micro-fissures and hydraulic fracture. In post-fracturing high-rank coal reservoir, methane has level-three flow and gets through triple medium to the wellbore; and water passes mainly through double medium to the wellbore which is level-two flow.

A Comprehensive Appraisal on the Characteristics of Coal-Bed Methane Reservoir in Turpan-Hami Basin

The rich coal-bed methane resources in the Turpan-Hami Basin are mainly located in the Shisanjianfang,Hami,Shanshan,Sha'erhu,Kekeya,Kerjian,Aidinghu inclines and the Dananhu coal-bed methane reservoirs. The big-ger coal-bed reservoirs are sitting at a depth of less than 1500 m. The coalbed methane generation,storage and confin-ing conditions of the Turpan-Hami basin can be indicated by eight key parameters. They are coal-bed thickness,coal rank,missing period,permeability,Langmuir volume,rock covering ability,structural confinement and hydrodynamic sealing environment. These parameters constitute a comprehensive appraisal index system of the coal-bed methane res-ervoir characteristics of the Turpan-Hami basin. In these parameters,the missing period of coal-bed methane is indi-cated by a stratum missing intensity factor. It reflects the relative exposure period of coal series. The results of a fuzzy comprehensive judgment showed that the Shisanjianfang coal-bed methane reservoir has the best prospects for exploita-tion and the Sha'erhu,Shanshan,Hami coal-bed methane reservoirs are next in line.

Sulfate diffusion in coal pillar:experimental data and prediction model

The stability of coal pillar dams is crucial for the long-term service of underground reservoirs storing water or heat.Chemi-cal damage of coal dams induced by ions-atttacking in coal is one of the main reasons for the premature failure of coal dams.However,the diffusion process of harmful ions in coal is far from clear,limiting the reliability and durability of coal dam designs.This paper investigates sulfate diffusion in coal pillar through experimental and analytical methods.Coal specimens are prepared and exposed to sulfate solutions with different concentrations.The sulfate concentrations at different locations and time are measured.Based on experimental data and Fick's law,the time-dependent surface concentration of sulfate and diffusion coefficient are determined and formulated.Further,an analytical model for predicting sulfate diffusion in coal pillar is developed by considering dual time-dependent characteristics and Laplace transformations.Through comparisons with experimental data,the accuracy of the analytical model for predicting sulfate diffusion is verified.Further,sulfate diffusions in coal dams for different concentrations of sulfate in mine water are investigated.It has been found that the sulfate concen-tration of exposure surface and diffusion coefficient in coal are both time-dependent and increase with time.Conventional Fick's law is not able to predict the sulfate diffusion in coal pillar due to the dual time-dependent characteristics.The sulfate attacking makes the coal dam a typical heterogeneous gradient structure.For sulfate concentrations 0.01-0.20 mol/L in mine water,it takes almost 1.5 and 4 years for sulfate ions to diffuse 9.46 and 18.92 m,respectively.The experimental data and developed model provide a practical method for predicting sulfate diffusion in coal pillar,which helps the service life design of coal dams.

Anisotropy of crack initiation strength and damage strength of coal reservoirs

The crack volume strain method and acoustic emission(AE)method are used to analyze the anisotropy of the crack initiation strength,damage strength,the failure mode and the AE characteristics of coal reservoir.The results show that coal reservoirs show obvious anisotropic characteristics in compressive strength,cracking initiation strength and damage strength.The compressive strength of coal reservoirs decreases with the increase of bedding angle,but the reservoirs with bedding angles of 450 and 900 differ little in compressive strength.The crack initiation strength and damage strength decrease first and then increase with the increase of bedding angle.The crack initiation strength and damage strength are the highest,at the bedding angle of 0°,moderate at the bedding angle of 90°,and lowest at the bedding angle of 45°.When the bedding angle is 0°,the failure of the coal reservoirs is mainly steady propagation of large-scale fractures.When the bedding angle is 45°,one type of failure is caused by steady propagation of small-scale fractures,and the other type of failure is due to a sudden instability of large-scale fractures.When the bedding angle is 90°,the failure is mainly demonstrated by a sudden-instability of small-scale fractures.Compared with the cumulative count method of the AE,the cumulative energy method is more suitable for determining crack initiation strength and damage strength of coal reservoirs.

碎软低渗煤储层强化与煤层气地面开发技术进展

我国碎软低渗煤储层分布广泛,然而由于其煤体松软、破碎、渗透性差,常规的直井/水平井煤储层直接压裂技术应用于碎软低渗煤储层强化及其煤层气地面开发的效果并不理想,碎软低渗煤储层煤层气的高效开发是制约我国煤层气产业大规模发展以及煤矿瓦斯高效治理的重要技术瓶颈。在系统分析我国碎软低渗煤储层特征及煤层气地面开发中存在的问题基础上,以水平井为基础井型,围绕间接压裂、应力释放和先固结后压裂3种不同的技术方向,梳理了目前碎软低渗煤储层强化与煤层气地面开发技术进展。归纳评述了以顶板间接压裂、夹矸层间接压裂以及硬煤分层间接压裂为内涵的间接压裂煤层气开发技术,以水力喷射造穴、气体动力造穴、扩孔+水力喷射+流体加卸载诱导失稳造穴、水力割缝为不同应力释放方式的应力释放煤层气开发技术,以及先微生物诱导碳酸钙固结碎软煤储层再进行水力压裂的先固结后压裂煤层气开发技术。间接压裂技术的工程实践探索已有较多积累,在地质条件适宜地区对碎软低渗煤储层强化取得了较好效果,而以应力释放为代表的碎软低渗煤储层强化新技术探索已取得重大进展,并进入工程试验和验证阶段。水平井应力释放技术针对碎软低渗煤储层特性和新的开发原理,其对储层改造潜力更大、煤层气开发效果会更好。基于水平井应力释放技术,围绕扩大应力释放范围、提高煤层气开发效果以及实现煤与煤层气共采3个方面,对碎软低渗煤储层强化及煤层气地面开发技术的发展趋势进行了展望,以期为改善我国碎软低渗煤储层增产改造效果以及提高煤层气单井产量提供参考。