A review of methane leakage from abandoned oil and gas wells:A case study in Lubbock,Texas,within the Permian Basin

In the pursuit of global net zero carbon emissions and climate change mitigation,ongoing research into sustainable energy sources and emission control is paramount.This review examines methane leakage from abandoned oil and gas(AOG)wells,focusing particularly on Lubbock,a geographic area situated within the larger region known as the Permian Basin in West Texas,United States.The objective is to assess the extent and environmental implications of methane leakage from these wells.The analysis integrates pertinent literature,governmental and industry data,and prior Lubbock reports.Factors affecting methane leakage,including well integrity,geological characteristics,and human activities,are explored.Our research estimates 1781 drilled wells in Lubbock,forming a foundation for targeted assessments and monitoring due to historical drilling trends.The hierarchy of well statuses in Lubbock highlights the prevalence of“active oil wells,”trailed by“plugged and abandoned oil wells”and“inactive oil wells.”Methane leakage potential aligns with these well types,underscoring the importance of strategic monitoring and mitigation.The analysis notes a zenith in“drilled and completed”wells during 1980-1990.While our study's case analysis and literature review reiterate the critical significance of assessing and mitigating methane emissions from AOG wells,it's important to clarify that the research does not directly provide methane leakage data.Instead,it contextualizes the issue's magnitude and emphasizes the well type and status analysis's role in targeted mitigation efforts.In summary,our research deepens our understanding of methane leakage,aiding informed decision-making and policy formulation for environmental preservation.By clarifying well type implications and historical drilling patterns,we aim to contribute to effective strategies in mitigating methane emissions from AOG wells.

Experimental research on methane control of mining upper protective layers

In order to solve coal and gas outbursts during mining coal seam,studying on related problems were carried out. According to the theories of mining upper protective layer,proper mining plan were designed and performed through field experiment. By means of examining several parameters obtained from the field experiment,the protective effects were evaluated and the protective scope and related parameters were determined. The results of field experiment show that the danger of outbursts was evidently eliminated and the method of mining protective layers is effective and the safety and economic benefits are remarkable. The research has really applied worth and will give beneficial references to mining area with analogous conditions.

Theories and techniques of coal bed methane control in China

Coal bed methane control with low permeability is a hot issue at present. The current status of coal bed methane control in China is introduced. The government-support policies on coal bed methane control are presented. This paper proposes the theories of methane control in depressurized mining, including methane extraction in depressurized mining, simultaneous mining technique of coal and methane without coal pillar, and circular overlying zone for high-efficiency methane extraction in coal seams with low permeability. The techniques of methane control and related instruments and equipments in China are introduced. On this basis, the problems related to coal bed methane control are addressed and further studies are pointed out.

Stochastic prediction and control to methane in coalmine

The ventilation system plays an essential role in underground workings, and improvements in dilution effect to stochastic methane build-up at cul-de-sac of a coalmine require the installation of mixed ventilation system. For 4-12-1 I N02.8A centrifugal ventilation fan, the characteristic operating function of its mixed ventilation system is calculated from ventilation quantity and total pressure in the actual working status. At cul-de-sac of the reference coalmine, the evolution of methane concentration is a compound Poisson process and equivalent to a Brownian motion for Gaussian distributed increments. Solution of stochastic differential equation driven by mixed ventilation system, with dilution equation for its closure, provides parameters of mine ventilation system for keeping methane concentration within the permissible limit at cul-de-sac of the reference coalmine. These results intend to shed some light on application of blowing-sucking mixed ventilation systems in underground workings, and establish stochastic trends to consider methane control in coalmines.

Application of long-reach directional drilling boreholes for gas drainage of adjacent seams in coal mines with severe geological conditions

This study aimed to demonstrate the application of Long Reach Directionally Drilled Boreholes(LRDD)for gas drainage of adjacent seams before and during the longwall face operations of low permeability-high gas content coals Staszic-Wujek Hard Coal Mine in the Upper Silesia Coal Basin(Poland).Five LRDD Boreholes(TM1a-TM5)with a length of 300 and 400 m were located over coal seam 501 in the fractured zone and monitored over six months of longwall face operations.LRDD Boreholes were combined with Cross-Measured Boreholes.Reservoir characterization and geological modeling supported the results obtained from gas drainage.The drainage efficiency of LRDD Boreholes was the approxi-mately 70%level,while conventional Cross-Measured Boreholes were only 30%.The highest goaf gas quality(94%methane concentration)was reported for TM4,placed at an average elevation of 41 m above coal seam 501.The highest goaf gas production(average 6.2 m^(3)/min)was reported for LRDD Borehole TM3.This borehole was placed within the fracture zone(average elevation of 24.4 m)and drilled through the sandstone lithotype with the best reservoir properties,enhancing drainage performance.LRDD Boreholes TM2 and TM4 achieved similar performance.These three LRDD Boreholes were drilled close to the maximum principal horizontal stress direction,providing borehole stability during under-mining.The lowest goaf gas production was reported for LRDD Boreholes TM1a and TM5.Both Boreholes were placed in the rubble zone.