China’s first mid- and low-grade coalbed methane field has produced over 6 billion cubic meters of gas in total

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China’s first mid-to-low rank coalbed methane field has produced over 6 billion cubic meters of gas in total 2025-05-13 On May 13, reporters learned from CNPC Coalbed Methane Co., Ltd. that as of May 12, the coalbed methane field in the Baode area operated by this company had produced more than 6 billion cubic meters of natural gas in total, making it China’s first mid-to-low rank coalbed methane field to reach such a production volume. At the coalbed methane field in the Baode area of Shanxi, operated by CNPC Coalbed Methane Co., Ltd., a row of extractors is in operation. Photo by Wang Feihang, Xinhua News Agency. It is known that in 2011, CNPC Coalbed Methane Co., Ltd. discovered the country’s first coalbed methane field in low-to-mid rank coal in the Baode area of Shanxi Province. The proven geological reserves there amounted to 18.363 billion cubic meters. After years of development, the Baode area has become China’s first industrial demonstration site for coalbed methane extraction from low-to-mid rank coal, with reserves in the hundreds of millions of cubic meters range. In recent years, CNPC Coalbed Methane Co., Ltd. has set the goal of ensuring long-term and stable gas production, and has made great efforts to turn the Baode field into a model for the development of coalbed methane from medium- and low-rank coals in China. At present, this field achieves a stable annual gas production of 500 million cubic meters, and has maintained high production levels for 13 consecutive years, setting a record for the cumulative output from directional wells for coalbed methane derived from medium- and low-rank coals in the country. Industry experts say that low- to middle-grade coal methane resources in China account for more than two-thirds of the country’s total coal methane resources. The steady production from the low- to middle-grade coal methane fields in the Baode area is of great significance for ensuring energy security and promoting local economic and social development.