Anthracite: A promising new target for coalbed methane exploration
Journal Article
·
· AAPG Bulletin
OSTI ID:272637
- D. Keith Murray and Associates, Lakewood, CO (United States)
Until recently, anthracite was not considered to constitute a viable reservoir for coalbed methane production. However, in 1994 commercial rates of methane were recovered from Permo-Carboniferous anthracites in the southern part of the North China Basin complex, in Henan and Shanxi Provinces, People`s Republic of China. During production tests of limited duration, shallow (approximately 1,200 to 1,600 ft) vertical wells flowed at rates exceeding 250 Mcf plus 200 bbls water per day. The coal in these two areas ranges from semi-anthracite to meta-anthracite, with vitrinite reflectances (R{sub o}) varying from 2.4 to 6.6 percent. In-situ gas contents of cored coals are as high as 1,000 s.c.f./short ton. The produced gas consists of approximately 95 percent methane, with traces of CO{sub 2} and other gases. Aggregate coal thickness in both areas is from 35 to 60 ft; some individual beds range from 10 to 20 ft in thickness. Cores of these anthracites are described as fractured and friable, exhibiting fair to good cleat development. These deposits occur in geologically complex areas within a zone of intersecting major tectonic elements that is characterized by high geothermal gradients. An untested but highly prospective anthracite deposit occurs in the South Wales Coal Basin, United Kingdom. Detailed, innovative research underway at the University of Wales, Cardiff, in this deformed Variscan foreland basin is focused on such topics as thrust-related permeability of anthracite and its potential control over coalbed methane production. The highest rank coal and the highest measured gas contents of cores (more than 850 s.c.f./short ton) in the U.K. are found in the northwestern part of the South Wales coal field.
- OSTI ID:
- 272637
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9607116--
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin, Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 80; ISSN 0149-1423; ISSN AABUD2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Permo-Carboniferous coal: A major target for coalbed methane exploration in China
Permo-Carboniferous coal: A major target for coalbed methane exploration in China
Integrated exploration strategy for locating areas capable of high gas rate cavity completion in coalbed methane reservoirs
Conference
·
Mon Dec 30 23:00:00 EST 1996
·
OSTI ID:425756
Permo-Carboniferous coal: A major target for coalbed methane exploration in China
Conference
·
Sun Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1995
· AAPG Bulletin
·
OSTI ID:6597170
Integrated exploration strategy for locating areas capable of high gas rate cavity completion in coalbed methane reservoirs
Conference
·
Sun Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1995
·
OSTI ID:106785