Method for removal of methane from coalbeds

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:862456

Pasini, III, Joseph ^[1]; Overbey, Jr., William K. ^[1]

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1. (Morgantown, WV)

A method for removing methane gas from underground coalbeds prior to mining the coal which comprises drilling at least one borehole from the surface into the coalbed. The borehole is started at a slant rather than directly vertically, and as it descends, a gradual curve is followed until a horizontal position is reached where the desired portion of the coalbed is intersected. Approaching the coalbed in this manner and fracturing the coalbed in the major natural fraction direction cause release of large amounts of the trapped methane gas.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV (United States)
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 3934649
• OSTI ID: 862456
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
removal
methane
coalbeds
removing
gas
underground
prior
mining
coal
comprises
drilling
borehole
surface
coalbed
started
slant
directly
vertically
descends
gradual
curve
followed
horizontal
position
reached
desired
portion
intersected
approaching
manner
fracturing
major
natural
fraction
direction
release
amounts
trapped
methane gas
underground coal
horizontal position
comprises drilling
ethane gas
desired portion
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