METHODOLOGY FOR THE ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF ENHANCED COAL MINE METHANE DRAINAGE (ECMM) AS A FUGITIVE EMISSIONS REDUCTION STRATEGY

摘要

A methodology for the assessment of the economic feasibility of strategies for reducing fugitiveemissions from open cut mining is presented. This approach involves integrating reservoir simulation ofgas drainage for various operational and reservoir conditions with economic analysis involving a rangeof financial parameters. The feasibility of conventional and enhanced coal mine methane drainage(CMM and ECMM) is evaluated relative to the business-as-usual scenario, where the methane isallowed to become fugitive. The methodology is demonstrated through a case study evaluating theeconomic merit of ECMM and CMM at open cut mines representative of the Hunter Coalfields, NSW,Australia. The results of the case study indicate that a positive business case exists for ECMM above aCO_2 penalty of A$20/tCO_2 (electricity price A$60/MWh) (US$17/tCO_2 and US$51/MWh using a longterm exchange rate of A$1 = US$ 0.85). CMM did not appear economic under the considered conditions(CO_2 penalty: A$10-$60/tCO_2, electricity price: A$35-85/MWh) due to slow recovery rates and highresidual gas content. Less favourable reservoir properties such as lower reservoir permeability and gascontent can be compensated by higher CO_2 penalties and/or electricity prices.