Amol Agarwal

CBM as an energy source

What is CBM ?

It is a natural gas produced from coal seams

Sweet gas- mostly contains methane

Other components are ethane, propane , butane

Origin

Organic material with temperature and pressure effect

Volatile substances such as methane , water result in contraction

Contraction further results in formation of cleats

How methane is trapped in coal bed?

Methane is adsorbed in the coal

Adsorption

Physisorption Chemisorption

• Physisorption involves intermolecular forces b/w gas molecules & coal. It is more endothermic.

• Chemisorption involves sharing & transfer of electrons.

ExtractionCoal bed pressure is decreased

which make the gas come out

Water is pumped out for decreasing pressure

INDIAN RESERVESIdentified Blocks/Coalfields Reserves

(in BCM)Reserves(in TCF)

Rajmal, Jharkhand 158 5.58

Birbhum, W.B 50 1.77

Sohagpur 16.72 0.59

Singrauli Main Basin, MP 31 1.1

Tatapani-Ramkola, Chhattisgarh 53.78 1.9

Mand-Raigarh, Chhattisgarh 119 4.2

Southern Godavari Valley(Kothaguden) AP

87.2 2.2

Northern Godavari Valley AP 29.65 1.05

Barmer Basin, Rajasthan 120 4.24

COMPARISON OF CBM FROM OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES

On the basis of E&P

On the basis of environmental impacts of resources

On the basis of exploration and production cost(Pricing)

Indian scenario3rd largest proven coal reserve

4th largest coal producer in the world

CBM reserve – 4.6 TCM

33 CBM blocks awarded in 4 rounds

DGH awarded 1.8 tcm reserves

Commercial development

Absence of E & P activity till 1997

2001, DGH invited bids through PSC

4 rounds have been completed till date

33 blocks were awarded

Gas in place (GIP) - 8.92 tcf

ONGC, RIL , Essar Oil , GEECL –main players

Indian projectsRaniganj(WB) -ONGC 90%

Coal India 10%

Bokaro & Karanpura – ONGC 80%,

Indian Oil 20%

Sohagpur (MP) - RIL

Private sector operators – Dart Energy, GEECL, Deep industries & a consortium by Jindal petroleum

Satpura(MP) – Dart energy 80% ,

Tata power 20%

Assam – Dart energy 60%

Oil India 40%

CURRENT & FUTURE CHALLENGES

Surface Disturbance

Air Pollution

Hydraulic fracturing

Sand, proppants and particulates produced water

Contamination risks to ground and surface water

Methane contamination of water

Flaring

Major challenges for commercial development of CBM assets

Lack of technical expertise and experience in CBM related project development

Lack of data/information on field characterization and hence technology selection toward reserve development

Regulatory challenges in the form of clearances and pricing policies

Poor quality of reserves in terms of CBM saturation level