A geological model for enhanced coal bed methane (ECBM) recovery process: A case study from the Jharia coalfield region, India

Abstract

Coal produces thermal energy, and it is a storehouse of natural gas in the form of coal bed methane (CBM). CBM is unconventional energy and it has high demands in the current energy market for advanced and developing countries. To rejuvenate of CBM production requires robust analysis of the subsurface geology. Enhanced coal bed methane (ECBM) is a recovery process through which CBM production enhances. The process needs an integrated study of the subsurface geology. A perspective of being a sink for anthropogenic releases of CO2 is observed in coal and at the same time based on a variety of viewpoints coal is considered as excellent geologic storage. ECBM recovery process through CO2 sequestration in the CBM reservoir is significantly involved in CBM production and it is controlled by several geological factors. In view of the present condition of the CBM reservoir in the Jharia area of eastern India, this study has been conducted to know the geological potentiality for ECBM recovery process of the Barakar formation in this region. Understanding of geological condition of the Barakar formation is essential for CO2 storage. The structural and sedimentary analysis has been conducted based on gravity data which has been supported by well log data in fine-scale. Proximate analysis and hydrodynamic analysis were performed based on available samples of the study area. The other parameters such as the estimation of pressure based gas volume were also analysed. This integrated analysis based on field acquired geophysical data and the laboratory analysis of the collected samples shows the encouraging result for ECBM recovery process through CO2 sequestration in the Jharia coalfield area.