Method of enhancing the removal of methane gas and associated fluids from mine boreholes

摘要

The method disclosed herein relates to the removal of unwanted gases and associated fluids in underground mining operations by utilizing mine boreholes. After the mine borehole has been drilled its desired distance from the mine face, an inflatable packer assembly is inserted therein and placed to the end remote from the mine face. This assembly is made up of at least two spaced inflatable packers wherein the spacer between the packers in conjunction with the borehole defines an isolation zone. Fluid conduit members, suitably supported at the mine face, extend into the borehole and act as supply lines from the two separate fluid sources for the packer assembly and isolation zone. A fracturing fluid under high pressure is supplied to the isolation zone and an inflatable fluid is supplied to the at least two packers to rigidly mount them in the borehole. After a fracture is induced in the zone, an additional amount of fracturing fluid is injected thereinto to extend the fracture. A propping medium made of particulate matter may be added to the fracturing fluid to retain the fractures open. Thereafter, the pressure of the fracturing fluid is released, the packers deflated, the gas and associated fluids exhausted, and the packer assembly moved to another location in the borehole nearer the mine face. At this new location, the procedure is repeated again and, it is contemplated, at several additional successive borehole locations along the borehole wherein each is progressively nearer than the preceding towards the mine face.