Booming coalbed methane industry in China

摘要

CBM resources in China are about 30-35x10~12 m~3 gas in place with shallow than 2000m burial depth. the Chinese coal mining industry followed American experiences and did CBM surface release in the end of 70's and beginning of 80's, but no resutls because of lower technology and lower-quality facilities. The Chinese coal mining industry, petroleum industry, geological exploration department and local gvernments have been very active to spend money exploiting CBM and got some exploring wells and testing wells since 90's. Chinese government has paid more attention to CBM development, and ratifyed to formally establishe China United Coalbed Methane Corporation Ltd. in 1996. I nrecent years, approximately 150 CBM wells were drilled in China. CBM high-permeabiity areas with beneficial exploitation are determined in Hedong coal field, southern qinshui Basin of Shanxi and Tiefa area and so on. the production sharing contract (PSC) for the cooperative exploitating coalbed methane in Huaibei of Anhui Province, Linxing area and Sanjiao area of Shanxi Province were signed and it started by China United Coalbed Methane Corporation Ltd. with Texaco, Phillips and Arco corporation. A new industry, CBM industry is booming in China.