Coalbed Methane Technology Development in the Appalachian Basin. Final Report, July 1989-June 1991.

摘要

The Appalachian Basin has an estimated gas-in-place coalbed methane resource of 66 TCF but the rate of development has lagged behind that of other basins. The applicability of current coalbed methane technology to the production of gas in the Appalachian Basin was determined through field-based research conducted with cooperative producers. Results obtained support the applicability of technology for reservoir evaluation and characterization, and well testing for permeability, geophysical logging, and reservoir modeling, but also indicate a need for refinement for site-specific conditions. Productivity in the Appalachian Basin is profoundly influenced by site-specific geological elements such as permeability, gas contents and depletion, and reservoir modeling indicates that productivity is most sensitive to the variable gas contents and permeability of the reservoir. Field data indicate that the mechanisms assumed operative for reservoir productivity are uncertain and that additional fundamental research is needed in order to characterize the mechanisms and their specific interrelationships. Geophysical logging techniques have potential for cost-effective reservoir evaluation but require correlation of techniques and analyses with well data. Additional stress testing is required to further characterize in-situ conditions and to enable the design of appropriate hydraulic stimulation treatments. Field and laboratory testing, and quality control procedures need to be standardized, and water disposal and environmental issues need to be further addressed.