Classification of coal seams for coal bed methane exploitation in central part of Jharia coalfield, India – A statistical approach

Abstract

Laboratory analyses data of coal core samples and coal seam characteristics, derived from well logs, have been used for quantitative analysis of proximate and petrophysical parameters of coals to assess the potential of coal bed methane (CBM) reservoir as clean energy source in central part of Jharia coalfield, India. Coal core samples and well log data of 27 exploratory wells have been used for this analysis. Coal seam permeability data for 14 major coal seams, obtained from shallow resistivity log, varies from 0.60md to 1.25md. Gas content values, calculated from available empirical equation varies from 11.11cc/g to 11.91cc/g. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) has been applied to group the 14 coal seams of the study area based on these above mentioned parameters for quantitative assessment of CBM potentiality of coal seams. Based on this HCA, the total 14 numbers of coal seams/objects occurring within the depth intervals of 214.58–1345.05m have been classified into three categories in order of potentiality as CBM reservoir depending upon average coal seam permeability and average gas content. The data set, generated from the experimental work and assessment of CBM potentiality, may further be used in the investigations for enhanced CBM (ECBM) recovery with CO2 sequestration into coal beds in the Jharia coalfield.