Introduction to the Geology of Coalbed Methane

In the U.S, coalbed methane (CBM) accounts for approximately 10% of both natural gas production and reserves. Internationally, however, the CBM plays a much less important role in meeting energy demands, even in countries where coal and CBM are abundant. This course reviews (1) CBM origins, (2) controls on CBM occurrence and production, (3) methods of assessing CBM resources and producibility in various geologic settings, (4) controls on coalbed gas composition, (5) influences on permeability and production rates, (6) hydrologic issues and water production, and (7) methods of drilling, completing, and stimulating CBM wells.

Examples from several basins are used to clarify controls on CBM occurrence and producibility and to demonstrate the origins of highly productive CBM fairways or sweetspots. The properties of contrasting coalbed gas systems (i.e., thermogenic vs. biogenic system and water-productive and water-free systems) are described in terms of their origins, gas resources, and CBM play characteristics. Drilling, completion and stimulation of CBM wells are considerations in relation to geologic controls on best engineering practices. Understanding these factors may facilitate development of CBM resources from diverse physical settings.

• Agenda
• Audience
• Prerequisites

• Agenda

  Day 1

  • Introduction
  • Coal Depositional Systems
  • Resource Delineation Questions
  • Structural Setting
  • Maceral types and Resercoir Fluid Composition

  Day 2

  • Coalbed Gas Origins and Coal Thermal Maturity
  • Coalbed Permeability
  • Hydrologic Analysis
  • Estimating Coal Tonnage and Coalbed Gas Volumes
  • Coalbed Gas Deilling, Completions and Production Methods

  Day 3

  • Coalbed Gas Drilling, Stimulation and Completion Advisor
  • Water Lift Methods for Coalbed Gas Wells
  • Water Disposal Methods
  • Coalbed Gas Exploration Models
  • Exercises

• Audience

  This course is designed for reservoir and production engineers and geoscientists and for managers responsible for making exploration and development decisions and optimizing recovery from coalbed methane reservoirs.

• Prerequisites

  Basic knowledge of petroleum geology and engineering principles.

• Prerequisites