Understanding poromechanical response of a biogenic coalbed methane reservoir

Pandey, Rohit; Harpalani, Satya

doi:10.1007/s40789-024-00686-w

Title: Understanding poromechanical response of a biogenic coalbed methane reservoir

Journal Article · 16 April 2024 · International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40789-024-00686-w · OSTI ID:2338007

; Harpalani, Satya

Abstract Biogenic coalbed methane (BCBM) reservoirs aim to produce methane from in situ coal deposits following microbial conversion of coal. Success of BCBM reservoirs requires economic methane production within an acceptable timeframe. The work reported here quantifies the findings of previously published qualitative work, where it was found that bioconversion induces strains in the pore, matrix and bulk scales. Using imaging and dynamic strain monitoring techniques, the bioconversion induced strain is quantified here. To understand the effect of these strains from a reservoir geomechanics perspective, a corresponding poromechanical model is developed. Furthermore, findings of imaging experiments are validated using core-flooding flow experiments. Finally, expected field-scale behavior of the permeability response of a BCBM operation is modeled and analyzed. The results of the study indicated that, for Illinois coals, bioconversion induced strains result in a decrease in fracture porosity, resulting in a detrimental permeability drop in excess of 60% during bioconversion, which festers itself exponentially throughout its producing life. Results indicate that reservoirs with high initial permeability that will support higher Darcian flowrates, would be better suited for coal bioconversion, thereby providing a site-selection criteria for BCBM operations.

View Journal Article

Cite

Export

Save

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM)

Grant/Contract Number:: FE0026161

OSTI ID:: 2338007

Journal Information:: International Journal of Coal Science & Technology, Journal Name: International Journal of Coal Science & Technology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 11; ISSN 2095-8293

Publisher:: Springer Science + Business MediaCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: China

Language:: English

References (37)

An analytical coal permeability model for tri-axial strain and stress conditions Connell, Luke D.; Lu, Meng; Pan, Zhejun International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 84, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2010.08.011	journal	November 2010
Sustaining biogenic methane release from Illinois coal in a fermentor for one year Zhang, Ji; Anderson, Kaitlyn; Britt, David Fuel, Vol. 227 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2018.04.061	journal	September 2018
Evaluating approaches for sustaining methane production from coal through biogasification Zhang, Ji; Liang, Yanna Fuel, Vol. 202 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2017.04.037	journal	August 2017
Influence of gas production induced volumetric strain on permeability of coal Harpalani, Satya; Chen, Guoliang Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, Vol. 15, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00880711	journal	December 1997
Variation in micropore capacity and size distribution with composition in bituminous coal of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin Clarkson, Christopher R.; Marc Bustin, R. Fuel, Vol. 75, Issue 13 https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-2361(96)00142-1	journal	October 1996
Characterization of the origin of coalbed gases in southeastern Illinois Basin by compound-specific carbon and hydrogen stable isotope ratios Strąpoć, Dariusz; Mastalerz, Maria; Eble, Cortland Organic Geochemistry, Vol. 38, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2006.09.005	journal	February 2007
Experimental study on sorption induced strain and permeability evolutions and their implications in the anthracite coalbed methane production Meng, Ya; Liu, Shimin; Li, Zhiping Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Vol. 164 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2018.01.014	journal	May 2018
Methane-Producing Microbial Community in a Coal Bed of the Illinois Basin Strąpoć, Dariusz; Picardal, Flynn W.; Turich, Courtney Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol. 74, Issue 12 https://doi.org/10.1128/Aem.00856-08	journal	June 2008
Compressibility of sorptive porous media: Part 2. Experimental study on coal Liu, Shimin; Harpalani, Satya AAPG Bulletin, Vol. 98, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1306/03241413134	journal	September 2014
Multiple-experimental investigation on the physicochemical structures alternation during coal biogasification Li, Dan; Bao, Yuan; Wang, Yaya Fuel, Vol. 339 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.127433	journal	May 2023
Comparison of coal rank for enhanced biogenic natural gas production Fallgren, Paul H.; Jin, Song; Zeng, Cuiping International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 115 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2013.01.014	journal	August 2013
Geological controls on coalbed methane reservoir capacity and gas content Bustin, R. M.; Clarkson, C. R. International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 38, Issue 1-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-5162(98)00030-5	journal	December 1998
Characterizing microbial communities dedicated for conversion of coal to methane in situ and ex situ Zhang, Ji; Liang, Yanna; Pandey, Rohit International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 146 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2015.05.001	journal	July 2015
Compressibility of sorptive porous media: Part 1. Background and theory Liu, Shimin; Harpalani, Satya AAPG Bulletin, Vol. 98, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1306/03241413133	journal	September 2014
Finding cost-effective nutrient solutions and evaluating environmental conditions for biogasifying bituminous coal to methane ex situ Zhang, Ji; Park, Stephen Y.; Liang, Yanna Applied Energy, Vol. 165 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.12.067	journal	March 2016
Bioconversion of coal: new insights from a core flooding study Stephen, Anil; Adebusuyi, Abigail; Baldygin, Aleksey RSC Advances, Vol. 4, Issue 43 https://doi.org/10.1039/c4ra01628a	journal	January 2014
Volumetric strain associated with methane desorption and its impact on coalbed gas production from deep coal seams Cui, Xiaojun; Bustin, R. Marc AAPG Bulletin, Vol. 89, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1306/05110504114	journal	September 2005
A mathematical model for consolidation in a thermoelastic aquifer due to hot water injection or pumping Bear, J.; Corapcioglu, M. Y. Water Resources Research, Vol. 17, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1029/WR017i003p00723	journal	June 1981
Development of a nutrient recipe for enhancing methane release from coal in the Illinois basin Zhang, Ji; Bi, Zheting; Liang, Yanna International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 187 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2018.01.001	journal	February 2018
Adsorption characteristics of coal in constant-pressure tests Sabir, Ali; Chalaturnyk, R. J. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol. 46, Issue 10 https://doi.org/10.1139/T09-057	journal	October 2009
Modeling of microbial methane generation from coal and assessment of its impact on flow behavior Saurabh, Suman; Harpalani, Satya Fuel, Vol. 216 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2017.12.015	journal	March 2018
Changes in pore structure of coal caused by coal-to-gas bioconversion Zhang, Rui; Liu, Shimin; Bahadur, Jitendra Scientific Reports, Vol. 7, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-04110-z	journal	June 2017
An imaging and fractal approach towards understanding reservoir scale changes in coal due to bioconversion Pandey, Rohit; Harpalani, Satya Fuel, Vol. 230 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2018.04.171	journal	October 2018
How Permeability Depends on Stress and Pore Pressure in Coalbeds: A New Model Palmer, Ian; Mansoori, John SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering, Vol. 1, Issue 06 https://doi.org/10.2118/52607-PA	journal	December 1998
A metaproteomic approach for identifying proteins in anaerobic bioreactors converting coal to methane Zhang, Ji; Liang, Yanna; Yau, Peter M. International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 146 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2015.05.006	journal	July 2015
Field and laboratory studies on the bioconversion of coal to methane in the San Juan Basin Wawrik, Boris; Mendivelso, Margarita; Parisi, Victoria A. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Vol. 81, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6941.2011.01272.x	journal	January 2012
Microbial production of methane and carbon dioxide from lignite, bituminous coal, and coal waste materials Opara, A.; Adams, D. J.; Free, M. L. International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 96-97 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2012.02.010	journal	July 2012
Reservoir Engineering in Coal Seams: Part 1-The Physical Process of Gas Storage and Movement in Coal Seams Gray, Ian SPE Reservoir Engineering, Vol. 2, Issue 01 https://doi.org/10.2118/12514-PA	journal	February 1987
Problems of thermoelasticity Nowacki, W. Progress in Aerospace Sciences, Vol. 10 https://doi.org/10.1016/0376-0421(70)90003-5	journal	January 1970
Changes in gas storage and transport properties of coal as a result of enhanced microbial methane generation Pandey, Rohit; Harpalani, Satya; Feng, Ruimin Fuel, Vol. 179 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2016.03.065	journal	September 2016
Optimization of methane production from bituminous coal through biogasification Zhang, Ji; Liang, Yanna; Harpalani, Satya Applied Energy, Vol. 183 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.08.153	journal	December 2016
A new theoretical approach to model sorption-induced coal shrinkage or swelling Liu, Shimin; Harpalani, Satya AAPG Bulletin, Vol. 97, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1306/12181212061	journal	July 2013
Drawdown Induced Changes in Permeability of Coalbeds: A New Interpretation of the Reservoir Response to Primary Recovery Shi, J. Q.; Durucan, S. Transport in Porous Media, Vol. 56, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1023/B:TIPM.0000018398.19928.5a	journal	July 2004
A Model for Changes in Coalbed Permeability During Primary and Enhanced Methane Recovery Shi, Ji-Quan; Durucan, S. SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering, Vol. 8, Issue 04 https://doi.org/10.2118/87230-Pa	journal	August 2005
Improving Coal Gas Recovery with Microbially Enhanced Coalbed Methane Scott, Andrew R. Coalbed Methane: Scientific, Environmental and Economic Evaluation https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1062-6_7	book	January 1999
Impact of bioconversion on matrix strain response of coal reservoirs: Part 1-Experimental insights Pandey, Rohit; Harpalani, Satya Fuel, Vol. 239 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2018.10.009	journal	March 2019
Microbial diversity and biogenic methane potential of a thermogenic-gas coal mine Wei, Min; Yu, Zhisheng; Jiang, Zheng International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 134-135 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2014.09.008	journal	November 2014

Similar Records

Geomechanical and flow implications with continued bioconversion of coal to methane: Experiments and modeling

Journal Article · 2021 · Fuel · OSTI ID:1849165

Saurabh, Suman; Harpalani, Satya

Exploration strategies based on a coalbed methane producibility model

Conference · 1996 · AAPG Bulletin · OSTI ID:6567075

Scott, A R; Kaiser, W R; Hamilton, D S; +2 more

Exploration strategies based on a coalbed methane producibility model

Conference · 1996 · OSTI ID:425859

Scott, A R; Kaiser, W R; Hamilton, D S; +2 more

Title: Understanding poromechanical response of a biogenic coalbed methane reservoir

Citation Formats

References (37)

Similar Records

Related Subjects