The coalbed methane industry in urgent need of development

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The coalbed methane industry, which needs urgent development 『Modern Occupational Safety』, May 2009, Issue 93. Data shows that among China’s state-owned coal mines, those with high gas concentrations or gas outbursts account for 46% of the total number of such mines. The country possesses abundant coalbed methane resources, ranking it as the third-largest holder of such reserves in the world, after Russia and Canada； The reserves are estimated to be 36.8 trillion cubic meters, equivalent to 45 billion tons of standard coal or 35 billion tons of standard oil, which is comparable to the volume of conventional natural gas resources on land. Of this amount, about 60% is suitable for exploitation. Under normal production conditions, China classifies coal mines based on the amount of gas emitted per ton of coal produced. A mine with a gas volume of 10 cubic meters or less per ton is classified as a low-gas mine, while one with a gas volume greater than 10 cubic meters per ton is classified as a high-gas mine. A mine where coal and gas outbursts have occurred is considered an outburst mine. At present, 48% of coal mines in China are classified as high-gas or coal and gas outburst mines, resulting in a high frequency of gas accidents. For a long time, gas accidents have accounted for a high proportion of coal mine accidents in China, which has unfortunately made the country one of the places in the world most affected by coal mine gas disasters. Since 2001, **5.9 billion yuan has been allocated successively to support the safety technology upgrades and gas management in state-owned coal mines. Driven by **subsidies, coal mining companies have also increased their investments in safety significantly, with these funds primarily used for the upgrading of \"one ventilation and three protections\" systems, facilities, and equipment, as well as for the adoption of new technologies. However, since the utilization of coal mine gas in our country is still in its infancy, it is mainly concentrated in state-owned mines with high gas extraction volumes, especially those 45 enterprises that are under special safety monitoring. At present, it is primarily used for domestic and industrial heating, with a portion being utilized for gas power generation. But the utilization rate is still not very high. The low utilization rate leads to two consequences: one is environmental pollution, and the other is a high frequency of gas explosion accidents. Therefore, how to further accelerate the development of coalbed methane so that it can serve social development while reducing gas explosion accidents has become a focus of attention for industry professionals. During ** this year, Li Jinfeng, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and deputy director of the Shanxi Provincial Department of Commerce, said that developing coalbed methane is a key proposal for Shanxi Province this time. It is understood that the total length of the coalbed methane pipeline network in Shanxi Province is currently around 700 kilometers, sufficient to supply gas to 22 counties and districts in 9 cities. The Jincheng gas pipeline project as well as the Liancheng section of the West-East Gas Transmission Project have been built. A coalbed methane utilization system that combines automobile fuel with coalbed methane power generation has taken initial shape, and Shanxi now possesses the basic conditions for industrial development. In addition, regions such as Henan, Hebei, and ** are also quite interested in the development of coalbed methane. **Not long ago, the evaluation project on coalbed methane resources and their development potential in Hebei Province, developed by the Hebei Provincial Coalfield Geology Exploration Institute, was approved, outlining a plan for the exploration and development of coalbed methane in the province as well as technical recommendations. Meanwhile, the **Coalfield Geology Bureau predicts** that the reserves of coalbed methane amount to nearly 10 trillion cubic meters. Amid the growing interest across various regions in the commercialization of coalbed methane, overseas investors are increasingly appearing on the scene. Last August, Australian CFT Company said it was advancing the Henan coalbed methane project in an orderly manner, with plans to invest $1 billion initially to develop 5 mining sites owned by Pingmei Group. In addition, **Zhongyu Gas, China Gas, and Beijing Sanjili Energy Co., Ltd. are all seeking opportunities to actively engage in the development of coalbed methane in Henan.