Methane in coal originates from early stage biogenic and thermogenic processes, and late stage biogenic process. Biogenic methane is generated through complicated methanogenic pathways. This presentation focuses on the history, state-of-the-art of research, laboratory and field practices of the biogenic methane production from coals of different origins and ranks. Interests on biogenic natural gas production in coal mainly include: 1) increasing CBM production in low- or non -producing coal beds; 2) conversion of coal into cleaner gas energy; and 3) utilization of biologically active coal bed as a geological reactor to biologically convert other carbonaceous deposits to natural gas. In the 1980s-1990s, studies by the US Geological Survey in the Powder River Basin (PRB), Wyoming suggested that late stage biogenic methane was present and dominant in certain areas. Since then, research groups worldwide have studied enhancing "real-time" biogenic CBM generation in various-rank coal beds by applying microbiological and biochemical measures. The first known field trial of stimulating methane generation from subbituminous coal was attempted in 2007 by Western Research Institute (Laramie, Wyoming). A depleted CBM well was successfully enhanced to produce new methane within a few weeks of injecting a package of amendments in the well. Similar technologies were subsequently and presently tested in pilot- and full-scale in the PRB and other locations in USA, Australia, Canada, China, and Indonesia.<br/>Through more than a decade of efforts by the academia and industries, the feasibility of real-time methane generation from various-rank coals with or without gas-producing history has been well demonstrated in both laboratory and pilot-scale field studies worldwide. However, efforts are still ongoing to achieve commercial production scale and gas-producing rate. Multi-discipline strategies have been undergoing to develop efficient stimulants and methods to address the challenges of sustaining substrates availability and robust biochemical-microbial activities in coal to reach high gas-producing rate under field conditions. These endeavors are expected to expedite the pace toward commercial production of biogenic natural gas in coal and potentially other carbonaceous deposits such as shale reservoirs. We believe that biogenic natural gas can substantially help renew and sustain the total gas reserves, and play an important role in the global low-carbon economy.

Enhancing production of coalbed biogenic natural gas: History, status, and perspectives

249th National Meeting (2015)

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