Coalbed methane potential of the Pechora Coalfield, Timan-Pechora Basin, Russia

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:427018

Yakutseni, V P; Petrova, Y E ^[1]; Law, B E; Ulmishek, G F ^[2]

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1. VNIGRI, St. Petersburg (Russian Federation)
2. Geological Survey, Denver, CO (United States)

A comparison of the more important geologic attributes of coal beds in the coalbed methane producing regions of the United States to Permian coal beds in the Pechora Coalfield, Timan-Pechora Basin, Russia indicates a high potential for commercial coalbed methane production. Although the depositional and structural histories, as well as the age, of the coal beds in the Pechora Coalfield are different than coal beds in U.S. basins, coal quality attributes are similar. The more prospective part of the coal-bearing sequence is as thick as 1600 m and contains more than 150 coal beds that individually are as thick as 4 m. These coal beds are composed primarily of rank ranges from subbituminous to anthracite (,0.5->2.5% R{sub 0}), with the highest rank coal located near the city of Vorkuta. Published data indicates that the gas content of coals is as high as 28-35 m{sup 3}/ton, with an average value of 18 m{sup 3}/ton. About 700 MMCM of gas per year is emmitted from coal mines. Pore pressures in the coal beds are unknown, however, interbedded sandstones in some parts of the basin are overpressured. The commonly occurring problem, in mid-latitude coalbed methane well, of excessive amounts of water may be alleviated in this high-latitude coal field. We suggest that the wide-spread occurrence of permafrost in the Pechora Coalfield may form an effective barrier to down-dip water flow, thereby facilitating the dewatering state. In summary, the quality of coal beds in the Pechora Coalfield are similar to methane producing coal beds in the United States and should, therefore, be favorable for commercial rates of gas production.

• OSTI ID: 427018
• Report Number(s): CONF-960527--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
03 NATURAL GAS
COAL DEPOSITS
METHANE
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
PRODUCTION
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
SEDIMENTARY BASINS