Production Characteristics and the Control Factors of Surface Wells for Relieved Methane Drainage in the Huainan Mining Area

Abstract

Abstract:Based on the production data of a large number of surface drainage wells in the Huainan mining area, the present study shows that four types of typical production characteristics for relieved methane wells are recognized, of which the stable type for production and gas concentration is the most dominate, as determined by a comprehensive study on the volume and concentration of drained gases, as well as the stress changes of rocks influenced by mining. Some influence factors for the productive differences of the drainage wells were also been discussed. The results indicate that protective coal‐seam mining has a significant effect on overlying strata, which promotes the development of pores and fractures of coal reservoirs for methane desorption and migration; however, the production and the stability of drainage wells are affected by deformation and damage of the overlying strata. The second distribution of strata stress is caused by mining engineering, and if the stress load is larger than the carrying capacity of the extraction well, the gas production would be influenced by the drainage well that has been damaged by rock movement. Furthermore, the case damage occurs first in the weak, lithologic interface by its special mechanical properties. The stability of drainage wells and the production status are also influenced by the different drilling techniques, uneven distribution of gas concentration, and combination of gob gas and methane from the protected layer.