The status and development strategy of coalbed methane industry in China

To achieve the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality under the backgrounds of poor resource endowments, weak theoretical basis and other factors, the development of the coalbed methane industry of China faces many bottlenecks and challenges. This paper systematically analyzes the coalbed methane resources, key technologies and progress, exploration effect and production performance in China and abroad. The main problems are summarized as low exploration degree, low technical adaptability, low return on investment and small development scale. This study suggests that the coalbed methane industry in China should follow the “two-step”(short-term and long-term) development strategy. The short-term action before 2030, can be divided into two stages:(1) From the present to 2025, to achieve new breakthroughs in theory and technology, and accomplish the target of annual production of 10 billion cubic meters;(2) From 2025 to 2030, to form the technologies suitable for most geological conditions, further expand the industry scale, and achieve an annual output of 30 billion cubic meters, improving the proportion of coalbed methane in the total natural gas production. The long-term action after 2030 is to gradually realize an annual production of 100 billion cubic meters. The strategic countermeasure to achieve the above goals is to adhere to “technology+management dual wheel drive”, realize the synchronous progress of technology and management, and promote the high-quality development of the coalbed methane industry. Technically, the efforts will focus on fine and effective development of coalbed methane in the medium to shallow layers of mature fields, effective development of coalbed methane in new fields, extensive and beneficial development of deep coalbed methane, three-dimensional comingled development of coalbed methane, applying new technologies such as coalbed methane displacement by carbon dioxide, microwave heating and stimulation technology, ultrasonic stimulation, high-temperature heat injection stimulation, rock breaking by high-energy laser. In terms of management, the efforts will focus on coordinative innovation of resource, technology, talent, policy and investment, with technological innovation as the core, to realize an all-round and integrated management and promote the development of coalbed methane industry at a high level.

Prospect Conceiving of Joint Research and Development of Shale Gas and Coalbed Methane in China

Inspired by successful development of shale gas in USA and influenced by hydrocarbon resources shortage currently, China has strengthened shale gas research and accelerated its exploration process. In order to enrich coalbed methane (CBM) and shale gas geological theory and promote their development process, this paper compared shale gas with CBM in accumulation, distribution, reservoir and production. It expatiated on the background and significance of the combined research and development, and analyzed the geological foundation and future prospects. Our investigation demonstrated that there are many sets of coal-bearing strata in Shanxi formation of Permian system in Ordos in North China, Longtan formation of Upper Permian and Xujiahe formation of Upper Triassic in Southern Yangtze region, Xishanyao formation of Middle Jurassic in Turpan-Hami Basin and Junggar Basin in Northwest China, and Shahezi formation of Cretaceous in Songliao Basin in northeast China. In these regions, shales which are interbeded with coal seams have the characters of big thickness, continuous distribution, high content of organic matter, good parent material and high maturity, accord with the basic geological conditions to format shale gas and CBM reservoir and composite gas reservoir, thus form appropriate regions and layers to carry out joint research and exploration with good prospects for development.

A dynamic evaluation technique for assessing gas output from coal seams during commingling production within a coalbed methane well: a case study from the Qinshui Basin

Gas drainage is carried out based on output from each coal bed throughout commingling production of coalbed methane(CBM).A reasonable drainage process should therefore initially guarantee main coal bed production and then enhance gas output from other beds.Permanent damage can result if this is not the case,especially with regard to fracture development in the main gas-producing coal bed and can greatly reduce single well output.Current theoretical models and measuring devices are inapplicable to commingled CBM drainage,however,and so large errors in predictive models cannot always be avoided.The most effective currently available method involves directly measuring gas output from each coal bed as well as determining the dominant gas-producing unit.A dynamic evaluation technique for gas output from each coal bed during commingling CBM production is therefore proposed in this study.This technique comprises a downhole measurement system combined with a theoretical calculation model.Gas output parameters(i.e.,gas-phase flow rate,temperature,pressure)are measured in this approach via a downhole measurement system;substituting these parameters into a deduced theoretical calculation model then means that gas output from each seam can be calculated to determine the main gas-producing unit.Trends in gas output from a single well or each seam can therefore be predicted.The laboratory and field test results presented here demonstrate that calculation errors in CBM outputs can be controlled within a margin of 15%and therefore conform with field use requirements.

Research progress on isotopic fractionation in the process of shale gas/coalbed methane migration

The research progress of isotopic fractionation in the process of shale gas/coalbed methane migration has been reviewed from three aspects: characteristics and influencing factors, mechanism and quantitative characterization model, and geological application. It is found that the isotopic fractionation during the complete production of shale gas/coalbed methane shows a four-stage characteristic of “stable-lighter-heavier-lighter again”, which is related to the complex gas migration modes in the pores of shale/coal. The gas migration mechanisms in shale/coal include seepage, diffusion, and adsorption/desorption. Among them, seepage driven by pressure difference does not induce isotopic fractionation, while diffusion and adsorption/desorption lead to significant isotope fractionation. The existing characterization models of isotopic fractionation include diffusion fractionation model, diffusion-adsorption/desorption coupled model, and multi-scale and multi-mechanism coupled model. Results of model calculations show that the isotopic fractionation during natural gas migration is mainly controlled by pore structure, adsorption capacity, and initial/boundary conditions of the reservoir rock. So far, the isotope fractionation model has been successfully used to evaluate critical parameters, such as gas-in-place content and ratio of adsorbed/free gas in shale/coal etc. Furthermore, it has shown promising application potential in production status identification and decline trend prediction of gas well. Future research should focus on:(1) the co-evolution of carbon and hydrogen isotopes of different components during natural gas migration,(2) the characterization of isotopic fractionation during the whole process of gas generation-expulsion-migration-accumulation-dispersion, and(3) quantitative characterization of isotopic fractionation during natural gas migration in complex pore-fracture systems and its application.

The generalized method for estimating reserves of shale gas and coalbed methane reservoirs based on material balance equation

As the main unconventional natural gas reservoirs,shale gas reservoirs and coalbed methane(CBM)reservoirs belong to adsorptive gas reservoirs,i.e.,gas reservoirs containing adsorbed gas.Shale gas and CBM reservoirs usually have the characteristics of rich adsorbed gas and obvious dynamic changes of porosity and permeability.A generalized material balance equation and the corresponding reserve evaluation method considering all the mechanisms for both shale gas reservoirs and CBM reservoirs are necessary.In this work,a generalized material balance equation(GMBE)considering the effects of critical desorption pressure,stress sensitivity,matrix shrinkage,water production,water influx,and solubility of natural gas in water is established.Then,by converting the GMBE to a linear relationship between two parameter groups related with known formation/fluid properties and dynamic performance data,the straight-line reserve evaluation method is proposed.By using the slope and the y-intercept of this straight line,the original adsorbed gas in place(OAGIP),original free gas in place(OFGIP),original dissolved gas in place(ODGIP),and the original gas in place(OGIP)can be quickly calculated.Third,two validation cases for shale gas reservoir and CBM reservoir are conducted using commercial reservoir simulator and the coalbed methane dynamic performance analysis software,respectively.Finally,two field studies in the Fuling shale gas field and the Baode CBM field are presented.Results show that the GMBE and the corresponding straight-line reserve evaluation method are rational,accurate,and effective for both shale gas reservoirs and CBM reservoirs.More detailed information about reserves of shale gas and CBM reservoirs can be clarified,and only the straight-line fitting approach is used to determine all kinds of reserves without iteration,proving that the proposed method has great advantages compared with other current methods.

Riemann problem for one-dimensional binary gas enhanced coalbed methane process

With an extended Langmuir isotherm, a Riemann problem for one-dimensional binary gas enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) process is investigated. A new analytical solution to the Riemann problem, based on the method of characteristics, is developed by introducing a gas selectivity ratio representing the gas relative sorption affinity. The influence of gas selectivity ratio on the enhanced coalbed methane processes is identified.

Prospects for Coalbed Methane and Shale Gas in a Carbon-Constrained World: A Preliminary Analysis

Using a regionally disaggregated global energy system model with a detailed treatment of the natural gas resource base, this paper analyzes the competitiveness of coalbed methane and shale gas in the global primary energy mix and the cost-optimal pattern of their production in regional detail over the period 2010-2050 under a constraint of halving global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2050 compared to the 2000 level. It is first shown that neither coalbed methane nor shale gas could become an important fuel in the global primary energy mix throughout the time horizon, although each of them could become an important source of world natural gas production from around 2030 onwards. It is then shown that unlike findings of previous studies, coalbed methane would be more attractive than shale gas as a primary energy source globally under the CO2 constraint used here. The results indicate that North America continues to be the world’s largest coalbed methane producer until 2030, after which China overtakes North America and retains this position until 2050. Also, India, Russia, South Africa, and Australia contribute noticeably to world coalbed methane production. The results also indicate that North America continues to dominate world shale gas production until 2040, after which a number of world regions, notably India, Europe, and China, begin to participate visibly in world shale gas production.

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.

Sorption of methane and CO_2 for enhanced coalbed methane recovery and carbon dioxide sequestration

Sequestration of CO2 in deep and unmineable coal seams is one of the attractive alternatives to reduce its atmospheric concentration. Injection of CO2 in coal seams may help in enhancing the recovery of coalbed methane. An experimental study has been carried out using coal samples from three different coal seams, to evaluate the enhanced gas recovery and sequestration potential of these coals. The coals were first saturated with methane and then by depressurization some of the adsorbed methane was desorbed. After partial desorption, CO2 was injected into the coals and subsequently they were depressurized again. Desorption of methane after the injections was studied, to investigate the ability of CO2 to displace and enhance the recovery of methane from the coals. The coals exhibited varying behavior of adsorption of CO2 and release of methane. For one coal, the release of methane was enhanced by injection of CO2, suggesting preferential adsorption of CO2 and desorption of methane. For the other two coals, CO2 injection did not produce incremental methane initially, as there was initial resistance to methane release. However with continued CO2 injection, most of the remaining methane was produced. The study suggested that preferential sorption behavior of coal and enhanced gas recovery pattern could not be generalized for all coals.

Coalbed methane genesis, occurrence and accumulation in China

Coalbed methane （CBM） is an important type of unconventional gas. Commercial development of CBM in America has been very successful since the 1980s. The CBM industry in Australia and Canada has developed rapidly during the last decade. Commercial development of CBM in China started in the 1990s, and has made great progress. The geological theory of CBM in China has achieved great advancement in genesis, occurrence and accumulation. On the aspect of CBM genesis, five CBM genetic types （primary biogenic gas, secondary biogenic gas, thermal degradation gas, pyrolysis gas and mixed gas） are identified by studying the geochemical characteristics of CBM, and a tracing indicator system is established. The discovery of secondary biogenic gas in medium-high rank coal reservoirs has widened the potential of CBM resources. On the aspect of CBM occurrence, the gas adsorption regulation under combined action of temperature and pressure is revealed by conducting adsorption experiments of different coal ranks under varying temperature and pressure conditions. Besides, by applying the adsorption potential theory in CBM research, the adsorption model under combined action of temperature and pressure is established. The new model can predict CBM resources accurately, and overcome the limitation of the traditional Langmuir model which uses just a single factor to describe the adsorption characteristics of deep buried coal. On the aspect of CBM accumulation, it is proposed that there are three evolutionary stages during CBM accumulation, including gas generation and adsorption, unsaturated gas adsorption, gas desorption-diffusion and preservation. Controlled by tectonic evolution, hydrodynamics and sealing conditions, CBM tends to be regionally enriched in synclines. Advances in geological theory of CBM in China can not only improve understanding of natural gas, but also provide new ideas for further exploration of CBM.

Optimum location of surface wells for remote pressure relief coalbed methane drainage in mining areas

Based on engineering tests in the Huainan coal mining area,we studied alternative well location to improve the performance of surface wells for remote pressure relief of coalbed methane in mining areas.The key factors,affecting location and well gas production were analyzed by simulation tests for similar material.The exploitation results indicate that wells located in various positions on panels could achieve relatively better gas production in regions with thin Cenozoic layers,low mining heights and slow rate of longwall advancement,but their periods of gas production lasted less than 230 days,as opposed to wells in regions with thick Cenozoic layers,greater mining heights and fast rates of longwall advancement.Wells near panel margins achieved relatively better gas production and lasted longer than centerline wells.The rules of development of mining fractures in strata over panels control gas production of surface wells.Mining fractures located in areas determined by lines of compaction and the effect of mining are well developed and can be maintained for long periods of time.Placing the well at the end of panels and on the updip return airway side of panels,determined by lines of compaction and the effect of mining,would result in surface wells for remote pressure relief CBM obtaining their longest gas production periods and highest cumulative gas production.

Exploitation technology of pressure relief coalbed methane in vertical surface wells in the Huainan coal mining area

Exploitation technology of pressure relief coalbed methane in vertical surface wells is a new method for exploration of gas and coalbed methane exploitation in mining areas with high concentrations of gas, where tectonic coal developed. Studies on vertical surface well technology in the Huainan Coal Mining area play a role in demonstration in the use of clean, new energy resources, preventing and reducing coal mine gas accidents and protecting the environment. Based on the practice of gas drainage engineering of pressure relief coalbed methane in vertical surface wells and combined with relative geological and exploration en- gineering theories, the design principles of design and structure of wells of pressure relief coalbed methane in vertical surface wells are studied. The effects of extraction and their causes are discussed and the impact of geological conditions on gas production of the vertical surface wells are analyzed. The results indicate that in mining areas with high concentrations of gas, where tectonic coal developed, a success rate of pressure relief coalbed methane in surface vertical well is high and single well production usually great. But deformation due to coal exploitation could damage boreholes and cause breaks in the connection between aquifers and bore-holes, which could induce a decrease, even a complete halt in gas production of a single well. The design of well site location and wellbore configuration are the key for technology. The development of the geological conditions for coalbed methane have a significant effect on gas production of coalbed methane wells.

The coalbed methane production potential method for optimization of wells location selection

A gas production potential method for optimization of gas wellsite locations selection is proposed in terms of the coalbed gas resources volume and the recoverability. The method uses the actual data about reservoirs in a coalbed gas field in central China to optimize wellsite locations in the studied area in combination with the dynamic data about actual production in the coalbed gas field, selects a favorable subarea for gas wells deployment. The method is established based on the basic properties of coal reservoirs, in combination with the coalbed thickness and the gas content to make an analysis of the gas storage potential of a coal reservoir, as well as resources volume and the permeability of a coal reservoir. This method can be popularized for optimization of wellsite locations in other methane gas development areas or blocks.

New Progress on the Coal Fines Affecting the Development of Coalbed Methane

Objective The production of coal fines is very common in the development of coalbed methane（CBM）in the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin,China.A large amount of produced coal fines seriously affect the productivity of CBM wells（Wei Yingchun et al.,2013）.Therefore,the production problems of CBM wells caused by coal fines have attracted extensive attention.

The impact of depositional environment and tectonic evolution on coalbed methane occurrence in West Henan, China

A deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which geological factors(depositional environment and tectonic evolution) control the occurrence of coalbed methane(CBM) is important for the utilization of CBM resources via surface-drilled wells and the elimination of coal-methane outbursts, the latter of which is a key issue for coal mine safety. Based on drill core data, high-pressure isothermal adsorption experiments, scanning electron microscopy experiments, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and X-ray diffraction experiments, the impact of the depositional environment and tectonic evolution on CBM occurrence of the II-1 coal seam of the Shanxi Formation in West Henan was analyzed. Results showed that the depositional environment led to the epigenetic erosion of tidal flat coal-accumulating structures by shallow-delta distributary channel strata. This resulted in the replacement of the original mudstonesandy mudstone coal seam immediate roof with fine-to-medium grained sandstones, reducing methane storage capacity. Epigenetic erosion by the depositional environment also increased coal body ash content(from 6.9% to 21.4%) and mineral content, filling the cleat system and reducing porosity, reducing methane storage capacity. The maximum methane adsorption capacity of the coal body reduced from35.7 cm3/g to 30.30 cm3/g, and Langmuir pressure decreased from 1.39 MPa to 0.909 MPa. Hence, the methane adsorption capacity of the coal body decreased while its capacity for methane desorption increased. Owing to the tectonic evolution of West Henan, tectonically deformed coal is common; as it evolves from primary cataclastic coal to granulitic coal, the angle of the diffraction peak increases, d002 decreases, and La, Lc, and Nc increase; these traits are generally consistent with dynamic metamorphism.This is accompanied by increases in the total pore volume and specific surface area of the coal body, further increasing the capacity for methane storage. Increases in micropore volume and specific surface area also increase the ability of the coal body to adsorb methane.

Prediction of Flowing Bottomhole Pressures for Two-Phase Coalbed Methane Wells

A method is proposed to predict the flowing bottomhole pressures （FBHPs） for two-phase coalbed methane （CBM） wells. The mathematical models for both gas column pressure and two-phase fluid column pressure were developed based on the well liquid flow equation. FBHPs during the production were predicted by considering the effect of entrained liquid on gravitational gradients. Comparison of calculated BHPs by Cullender-Smith and proposed method was also studied. The results show that the proposed algorithm gives the desired accuracy of calculating BHPs in the low- productivity and low-pressure CBM wells. FBHP is resulted from the combined action of wellhead pressure, gas column pressure and fluid column pressure. Variation of kinetic energy term, compressibility and friction factors with depth increments and liquid holdup with velocity should be considered to simulate the real BHPs adequately. BHP is a function of depth of each column segment. The small errors of less than 1.5% between the calculated and measured values are obtained with each segment within 25 m. Adjusting BHPs can effectively increase production pressure drop, which is beneficial to CBM desorption and enhances reservoir productivity. The increment of pressure drop from 5.37 MPa2 to 8.66 MPa2 leads to an increase of CBM production from 3270 m3/d to 6700 m3/d and is attributed to a decrease in BHP from 2.25 MPa to 1.33 MPa.

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, 6C~ of coalbed methane reservoir changed from the start at -2.95% ~ -3.66%, and the lightening process occurred in phases; the CI-I4 volume reduced from 96.35% to 12.42%; the CO2 vo- lume 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.

Methods for simultaneously evaluating reserve and permeability of undersaturated coalbed methane reservoirs using production data during the dewatering stage

In this work,a flowing material balance equation(FMBE) is established for under saturated coalbed methane(CBM) reservoirs,which considers immobile free gas expansion effect at the dewatering stage.Based on the established FMBE,five straight-line methods are proposed to determine the control area,initial water reserve,initial free gas reserve,initial adsorbed gas reserve,original gas in place,as well as permeability at the same time.Subsequently,the proposed FMBE methods for undersaturated CBM reservoirs are validated against a reservoir simulation software with and without considering free gas expansion.Finally,the proposed methods are applied in a field case when considering free gas expansion effect.Validation cases show that the straight-line relationships for the proposed five FMBE methods are excellent,and good agreements are obtained among the actual reserves and permeabilities and those evaluated by the proposed five FMBE methods,indicating the proposed five FMBE methods are effective and rational for CBM reservoirs.Results show that a small amount of free gas will result in a great deviation in reserve evaluation;hence,the immobile free gas expansion effect should be considered when establishing the material balance equation of undersaturated CBM reservoirs at the dewatering stage.

Evaluation and intelligent deployment of coal and coalbed methane coupling coordinated exploitation based on Bayesian network and cuckoo search

Coal and coalbed methane(CBM)coordinated exploitation is a key technology for the safe exploitation of both resources.However,existing studies lack the quantification and evaluation of the degree of coordination between coal mining and coalbed methane extraction.In this study,the concept of coal and coalbed methane coupling coordinated exploitation was proposed,and the corresponding evaluation model was established using the Bayesian principle.On this basis,the objective function of coal and coalbed methane coordinated exploitation deployment was established,and the optimal deployment was determined through a cuckoo search.The results show that clarifying the coupling coordinated level of coal and coalbed methane resource exploitation in coal mines is conducive to adjusting the deployment plan in advance.The case study results show that the evaluation and intelligent deployment method proposed in this paper can effectively evaluate the coupling coordinated level of coal and coalbed methane resource exploitation and intelligently optimize the deployment of coal mine operations.The optimization results demonstrate that the safe and efficient exploitation of coal and CBM resources is promoted,and coal mining and coalbed methane extraction processes show greater cooperation.The observations and findings of this study provide a critical reference for coal mine resource exploitation in the future.

Productivity enhancement in multilayered coalbed methane reservoirs by radial borehole fracturing

Coalbed methane(CBM)is an important unconventional natural gas.Exploitation of multilayered CBM reservoir is still facing the challenge of low production rate.Radial borehole fracturing,which integrates radial jet drilling and hydraulic fracturing,is expected to create complex fracture networks in multilayers and enhance CBM recovery.The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanisms and efficacy of radial borehole fracturing in increasing CBM production in multiple layers.First,a two-phase flow and multi-scale 3 D fracture network including radial laterals,hydraulic fractures and face/butt cleats model is established,and embedded discrete fracture model(EDFM)is applied to handle the complex fracture networks.Then,effects of natural-fracture nonuniform distribution are investigated to show the advantages of targeted stimulation for radial borehole fracturing.Finally,two field CBM wells located in eastern Yunnan-western Guizhou,China were presented to illuminate the stimulation efficiency by radial borehole fracturing.The results indicated that compared with vertical well fracturing,radial borehole fracturing can achieve higher gas/water daily production rate and cumulative gas/water production,approximately 2 times higher.Targeted communications to cleats and sweet spots and flexibility in designing radial borehole parameters in different layers so as to increase fracture-network complexity and connectivity are the major reasons for production enhancement of radial borehole fracturing.Furthermore,the integration of geology-engineering is vital for the decision of radial borehole fracturing designing scheme.The key findings of this paper could provide useful insights towards understanding the capability of radial borehole fracturing in developing CBM and coal-measure gas in multiple-thin layers.