Assets
Coal Bed Methane (CBM)
What is coal bed methane?
A component of natural gas is a substance called methane (CH4). Coal bed methane
(CBM) is the same compound as the methane which is the primary energy source in
natural gas. Coal bed methane, however, is found in coal seams, and produced by
non-traditional means, and therefore while it is sold and used the same as
traditional natural gas, its production is very different. ological process as a
result of microbial action or from a thermal process as a result of increasing
heat with the depth of the coal. Often a coal seam is saturated with water and
methane is held in the coal by the pressure of the water.
Characteristics of CBM
- The natural gas found in coal is "sweet" not "sour" as it does not
contaiCharacteristics of CBM
- The natural gas found in coal is "sweet" not "sour" as it does not contain
hydrogen sulphidelity when produced and requires minimal processing; and,
- it is generally produced at lower pressures than conventional natural gas.
Methane Molecule CH4
How is the methane extracted from a coal seam?
Methane travels with the ground water being pumped from the coal from a wHow is
the methane extracted form a coal seam?
Methane travels with the ground water being pumped from the coal from a well
drilled and completed in a coal seam that contains methane and fixed with a
water pump. Since methane has very low solubility in water it separates from the
water in the well before the water enters the pump. gas in the coal seam. Water
moving from the coal seam to the well bore encourages gas migration toward the
well. As this water pressure is released, the gas will rise and separate from
the water and be piped away.