11.

Coal Bed Methane

(CBM)
CBM Well and Conventional Gas Well
Coal Seams and Cleats
 What is CBM?

CBM IS NATURALLY
OCCURING METHANE (CH4)
WITH SMALL AMOUNTS OF
OTHER HYDROCARBON AND
NON-HYDROCARBON GASES
CONTAINED IN COAL SEAMS
AS A RESULT OF CHEMICAL
AND PHYSICAL PROCESSES

COAL IS THE FUNDAMENTAL OF CBM

COAL AS SOURCE ROCK AND RESERVOIR
 Mechanics of Generation and Migration of CBM

CBM is natural gas mainly composed

of methane (CH4).

The gas was generated

contemporaneously with the coal
formation.

The gas was trapped and adsorbed in

cleats (macropores) and coal matrix
(micropores).

The gas was held in the pores by

hydrostatic pressure. Pumping water
from coal beds reduces hydrostatic
pressure and allows the methane to
desorb from the coal and migrate to a
production well.
 Coal Gas (CBM)
Coal gas is a by-product of the physical and chemical reactions
associated with the coalifaction process (the process by which
vegetable matter is converted to coal).
Consequently, this makes coal seam reservoirs different from
conventional gas reservoirs, in that, the coal seam is both the
source rock and the reservoir rock for the gas.
Coal gas is primarily composed of methane with trace amounts of
higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and inorganic gases, such as
carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen.
Samples of gas from virgin coal seams yield calorific values ranging
from 900 to1100 B.T.U./SCF, making them of commercial quality
with little processing.
 Coal Gas (CBM)
Coalbed reservoirs is unusual because it serves both as the source
rock and the reservoir.
The two most important parameters in evaluating a coalbedmethane
prospect are:
Total gas in-place
Gas deliverability of the reservoir
In order to come up with a thorough evaluation towards the
development of a coalbed reservoir as a potential coalbed methane
prospect, it is necessary to have a good understanding of the
internal structure and character of the coal and the strata
surrounding the coal.
Coal Rank and Methane Generation
Gas Generation as a Function of Coal Maturity (Coal Rank)
Coal Petrology
Coal Porosities
Influence of Coal Rank on Coal Cleats
Gas Storage in Coal
Estimated Maximum Producible Methane Content by Depth and Ranks
 Coal Bed Methane: Conclusions
The composition of the rock: coal is 90 percent organic whereas
conventional gas formations are nearly 100% inorganic.
The different mechanical properties ofthe rock: coal is brittle, friable and
weak, and it tends to collapse in the wellbore
Coals naturally occurring fractures, or cleats: these fractures called face
cleats and butt cleats, are extensive in coals. Most coal reservoirs, however,
require hydraulic fracturing to stimulate production.
Coals gas storage mechanism: gas is adsorbed or attached onto the
internal surfaces of the coal, whereas gas is confined in the pore spaces of
conventional rocks.
The large volumes of water present in the coal seam: water must be
pumped continuously from coal seams to reduce reservoir pressure and
release the gas.
The low pressure of coal reservoirs: backpressure on the wellhead must be
kept low to maximize gas flow and all produced gas must be compressed
for delivery to a sales pipeline.
The modest gas flow rates from coal reservoirs: capital outlays and
operating expenses must be minimized to produce an economical project.
Abdassah (2010)
 CBM Indonesia: Muara Enim Coal Case

The Late Miocene Muaraenim coal to have good CBM potential for typical
low rank coals, suggesting these primary result to promise further CBM
exploration in South Sumatra Basin.
CBM has the potential to become an important contributor to Indonesias
energy Mix.
A number of technical, commercial and environmental challenges that must
be overcome to ensure effective CBM exploitation.
CBM exploitation is fundamentally different to conventional natural gas
production both in terms of reservoir accumulation and production
technology.
Regulatory frameworks must appropriately address these differences in a
way that equitably balances the risks and rewards from a potential
investors standpoint as well as all other stake-holder.
Sosrowidjojo (2006)
 CBM Properties of Muaraenim Coal
CBM-1 Well
Coal GHV Gas Content (m3/t) Gas Composition (%)
Seam Thickness
(m) Btu/cf Min Max Ave CH4 CO2 N2+C2+
1 6.10 824 0.57 1.24 1.07 71-80 9.6-26.8 0.9-1.3
2 9.14 923 0.94 1.88 1.61 91-92 6.8-7.7 0.8
3 9.14 907 1.84 5.84 3.60 81-89 10.3-18.8 0.4-0.7
H 4.57 867 0.22 0.83 0.47 76-89 10.4-23.0 0.7-1.1
4 10.67 920 0.44 2.94 0.95 81-93 5.8-18.4 0.7-1.1

Density Maceral Group (%) VR Proximate Data (%)

Seam
g/cc Vit Inert Min (%) Moish Ash Y VM
1 1.42 77.70 8.50 8.00 0.29 10.20 16.30 35.80
2 1.31 78.20 8.90 7.90 0.31 10.00 5.20 45.80
3 1.33 78.20 11.60 3.90 0.31 10.95 5.60 42.80
4 1.46 58.90 14.30 20.70 0.31 20.80 19.80 29.30

Sosrowidjojo (2006)
 SUMMARY OF TYPICAL CBM RESERVOIRS PROPERTIES
OF INDONESIA COAL BASINS

Basin Province Target Completeable Coal Avg High CBM Resources

Formation Coal Rank Depth Graded Completable Concen-
Thickness Area Tration

(m) (R0%) (m) (km2) (Tcf) (Bcf/mi2)

1 S. Sumatra Sumatra M.Enim 37 0.47 762 7,350 183.0 24.9

2 Barito Kalimantan Warukin 28 0.45 915 6,330 101.6 16.0
3 Kutei Kalimantan Prangat 21 0.50 915 6,100 80.4 13.2
4 C. Sumatra Sumatra Petani 15 0.40 762 5,150 52.5 10.2
5 N. Tarakan Kalimantan Tabul 15 0.45 701 2,734 17.5 6.4
6 Berau Kalimantan Latih 24 0.45 671 780 8.4 10.8
Sawah
7 Ombilin Sumatra 24 0.80 762 47 0.5 10.7
tambang
8 Pasir/Asem Kalimantan Warukin 15 0.45 701 385 3.0 7.9
9 NW Java Java T.Akar 6 0.70 1524 100 0.8 7.6
10 Sulawesi Sulawesi Toraja 6 0.55 610 500 2.0 4.0
11 Bengkulu Lemau Lemau 12 0.40 610 772 3.6 4.7
TOTAL 30,248 453.3 15.0

Modified from Source: Stevens, S. "Indonesia Coalbed Methane Indicators and Basin Evaluation", presented at SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference
and Exhibit, Perth, Australia, 18-20 October, 2004, SPE 88630, Advanced Resources International, Inc. on behalf of Hadiyanto, Indonesian Ministry of
Energy and Mineral Resources, Directorate General of Geology and Mineral Resources.

HIGH MODERATE LOW

PROSPECTIVE PROSPECTIVE PROSPECTIVE
CBM Resources of Indonesia