Application of long-reach directional drilling boreholes for gas drainage of adjacent seams in coal mines with severe geological conditions

Abstract

This study aimed to demonstrate the application of Long Reach Directionally Drilled Boreholes (LRDD) for gas drainage of adjacent seams before and during the longwall face operations of low permeability-high gas content coals Staszic-Wujek Hard Coal Mine in the Upper Silesia Coal Basin (Poland). Five LRDD Boreholes (TM1a-TM5) with a length of 300 and 400 m were located over coal seam 501 in the fractured zone and monitored over six months of longwall face operations. LRDD Boreholes were combined with Cross-Measured Boreholes. Reservoir characterization and geological modeling supported the results obtained from gas drainage. The drainage efficiency of LRDD Boreholes was the approximately 70% level, while conventional Cross-Measured Boreholes were only 30%. The highest goaf gas quality (94% methane concentration) was reported for TM4, placed at an average elevation of 41 m above coal seam 501. The highest goaf gas production (average 6.2 m3/min) was reported for LRDD Borehole TM3. This borehole was placed within the fracture zone (average elevation of 24.4 m) and drilled through the sandstone lithotype with the best reservoir properties, enhancing drainage performance. LRDD Boreholes TM2 and TM4 achieved similar performance. These three LRDD Boreholes were drilled close to the maximum principal horizontal stress direction, providing borehole stability during under-mining. The lowest goaf gas production was reported for LRDD Boreholes TM1a and TM5. Both Boreholes were placed in the rubble zone.