A discussion on CBM development strategies in China: A case study of PetroChina Coalbed Methane Co., Ltd.

摘要

In recent years, the growth rate of coalbed methane (CBM) industry in China has slowed down. In order to promote its development, it is in urgent need to do the researches focusing on enhancing domestic CBM industry. In this paper, PetroChina Coalbed Methane Co. Ltd. was taken as an example. Its technical progress and achievements in the construction of CBM industrial base at the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin and the CBM exploration and development in Xinjiang since it was founded in 2008 were systematically studied and summarized. Then, the opportunities and challenges of domestic CBM industry in the process of its development were analyzed. Finally, five main study directions for accelerating the development of CBM industry were put forward. First, speed up the scale breakthrough of the strategic replacement of medium- and low-rank CBM resources in Xinjiang. Second, continuously research the technologies for increasing production and recovery factor of developed areas, so as to enhance the development benefits greatly. Third, strengthen the comprehensive development of deep CBM and coal measure gas, so as to improve the comprehensive utilization ratio of resources. Fourth, develop the intelligent information technology based on artificial intelligence and big data suitable for CBM fields, to improve the development level of CBM fields. Fifth, study the innovative management system of CBM benefit development, to provide a scientific institutional guarantee for the benefit development of CBM. It is concluded that the scale CBM development at the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin supplies the nation with precious clean energy and provides new ways and contributions for the safe production and energy saving & emission reduction of coal mines. In addition, it is recommended to continuously promote management innovation and technological innovation and speed up the construction of the third CBM industrial base in Xinjiang so as to accelerate the development of CBM industry in China.