A Preliminary Methane Emission Study of Typical Coalbed Methane Production Areas Based on Multi-satellites Remote Sensing Data

Abstract

The monitoring of methane emission is helpful for reducing the concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases. A preliminary methane emission study of typical coalbed methane production areas based on multi-satellites remote sensing data was proposed. Methane monitoring for typical coalbed methane production areas in Shanxi Province, methane anomaly analysis, associated gas flaring identification as well as emission estimation were carried out, using Sentinel-5P TROPOMI (TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument) CH4 data, Sentinel-2 false color images and VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) active fire data. The research showed that typical coalbed methane production areas in Shanxi Province were featured with high CH4 concentration in the southeast and low concentration in the northwest. The maximum methane anomaly of about 80 ppb was discovered and the emission rate was estimated to be approximately 20 t/h-23 t/h for the identified associated gas flaring location. The estimation was consistent with the results from PRISMA data for the Shanxi coal mining region. The research demonstrated the capability of satellite observation to support the coalbed methane production emission source identification from space and indicated the method provided was favorable for methane anomaly analysis, emission identification as well as emission rate estimation for coalbed methane production areas.