Application of structural curvature of coalbed floor on CBM development in the Zaoyuan block of the southern Qinshui Basin

Based on controls of structural style and the position in coalbed methane (CBM) development, we used a method of curvatures to study its relations with CBM development parameters. We calculated structural curvatures of contours of the No.3 coal seam floor of the Shanxi Formation in the Zaoyuan block of the Qinshui Basin and analyzed its relations with development parameters of coalbed methane wells. The results show that structural curvature is negatively related to coal reservoir pressure, while positively related to permeability. With an increase in structural curvature, the average production of coalbed methane wells increases at first and then decreases, reaching the highest production at 0.02 m–1 of structural curvature. Therefore, structural cur-vature can be an important index for potential evaluation of coalbed methane development and provide a basis for siting coalbed methane wells.

Mechanical criterion for coal and gas outburst:a perspective from multiphysics coupling

Although a series of hypotheses have been proposed,the mechanism underlying coal and gas outburst remains unclear.Given the low-index outbursts encountered in mining practice,we attempt to explore this mechanism using a multiphysics coupling model considering the effects of coal strength and gas mass transfer on failure.Based on force analysis of coal ahead of the heading face,a risk identification index C_(m)and a critical criterion(C_(m)≥1)of coal instability are proposed.According to this criterion,the driving force of an outburst consists of stress and gas pressure gradients along the heading direction of the roadway,whereas resistance depends on the shear and tensile strengths of the coal.The results show that outburst risk decreases slightly,followed by a rapid increase,with increasing vertical stress,whereas it decreases with increasing coal strength and increases with gas pressure monotonically.Using the response surface method,a coupled multi-factor model for the risk identification index is developed.The results indicate strong interactions among the controlling factors.Moreover,the critical values of the factors corresponding to outburst change depending on the environment of the coal seams,rather than being constants.As the buried depth of a coal seam increases,the critical values of gas pressure and coal strength decrease slightly,followed by a rapid increase.According to its controlling factors,outburst can be divided into stress-dominated,coal-strength-dominated,gas-pressure-dominated,and multi-factor compound types.Based on this classification,a classified control method is proposed to enable more targeted outburst prevention.

Optimization methods of production layer combination for coalbed methane development in multi-coal seams

Based on the productivity equation of coalbed methane(CBM) wells, three indexes, main production layer optimization index, main production layer expansion index and capacity contribution index are proposed, with which the three-step optimization method of production-layer combination is established. In selecting main production layer, the coal seam thickness, CBM content, coal seam permeability, coal seam reservoir pressure and coal structure are considered comprehensively to evaluate the potential of the production layer. In selecting expansion of the main production layer combination, on the premise of ensuring full and slow desorption of the main production layer and non-exposure of the main production layer out of liquid surface, the degree of mutual interference between the main and non-main production layers is comprehensively evaluated by coupling the critical desorption pressure, layer spacing and reservoir pressure gradient difference. In optimizing production layer combination, the main concern is the economic efficiency of the combined layers. Only when the contribution coefficient of the main production layer is greater than 30% and the contribution index of the other production layers is more than 10%, the economic benefit of a CBM well after being put into production can be ensured. Based on the comparative analysis of the development effect of the development test wells in Songhe of Guizhou province, it is proved that the "three-step method" for the optimization of production-layer combination is scientific and practical, and can be used to design the multi-layer commingling scheme of coalbed methane.

A review on transport of coal seam gas and its impact on coalbed methane recovery

This paper presents a summary review on mass transport of coal seam gas(CSG)in coal associated with the coalbed methane(CBM)and CO_(2) geo-sequestration enhanced CBM(CO_(2)-ECBM)recovery and current research advances in order to provide general knowledge and fundamental understanding of the CBM/ECBM processes for improved CBM recovery.It will discuss the major aspects of theory and technology for evaluation and development of CBM resources,including the gas storage andflow mechanism in CBM reservoirs in terms of their differences with conventional natural gas reservoirs,and their impact on CBM production behavior.The paper summarizes the evaluation procedure and methodologies used for CBM exploration and exploitation with some recommendations.