Coalbed methane: Technology status report

Technical Report · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6675846

Coalbed methane research focuses on (1) estimating the extent of the resource with increased accuracy and reliability, (2) estimating the amount of coalbed methane that is recoverable, and (3) providing technically and economically viable means for methane recovery. The goal is to promote extensive private and public use of the resource as a national energy source. DOE has made significant progress in developing new knowledge, including the following accomplishments: Over 90 well sites have been logged, and over 350 core samples have been taken from these sites for desorption and proximate and ultimate analysis tests to provide insight into gas release mechanisms for various coal ranks. A comprehensive geological assessment was made to estimate the gas-in-place for 16 basins. Twenty production tests were completed to develop guidelines for recovery concepts in different geologic environments. While the project has made significant progress, the development of coalbed methane as a contributing source to the US gas supply has not been widespread. The mixing of unconventional gas with conventional natural gas has been investigated for use by residential, municipal, commercial, and industrial customers in space heating, coal drying, and onsite power generation. However, the risks and economics associated with recovery concepts in basins other than the Warrior basin sre still lacking. 5 refs., 11 figs.

• Research Organization: USDOE Morgantown Energy Technology Center, WV
• OSTI ID: 6675846
• Report Number(s): DOE/METC-87/0251; ON: DE87001032
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
03 NATURAL GAS
030900 -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
ALASKA
ALKANES
APPALACHIA
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL SEAMS
COLORADO
COMMINUTION
DEGASSING
DESORPTION
DRILL CORES
FEDERAL REGION VI
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FEDERAL REGION X
FIELD TESTS
FRACTURING
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
HYDROCARBONS
LINEAMENTS
METHANE
MINERAL RESOURCES
MONTANA
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RECOVERY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES
STIMULATION
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
TESTING
TEXAS
USA
UTAH
WELL LOGGING
WELL SPACING
WELL STIMULATION
WYOMING