Abstract: Coalbed Methane Resources of China

Dudley D. Rice, Raymond C. Pilcher, Qingzhao Bai

China has large resources of coal and depends on about 75 percent of its energy consumption from coal. The coals are highly variable in age (Carboniferous to Tertiary) and rank (lignite to anthracite), and are located in three main areas-south, north, and northeast China. The coals have been subjected to several major tectonic events (Variscan, Indosinian, Yanshan, and Himalayan), which have affected the generation, preservation, and producibility of coalbed methane. Although most of the coal resources are of Early and Middle Jurassic age, the best potential for coalbed methane occurs in coals of Carboniferous, Permian, and Late Jurassic age. The coalbed methane resources in China at depths of 2,000 m or less are estimated to be as much as 35 trillion cubic meters.

China is the world's largest coal producer (>1 billion tons/year) of which 97 percent is mined underground from gassy and/or outburst mines. China is also the largest emitter of coalbed methane (as much as 20 billion cubic meters per year). These emissions of coalbed methane can be reduced in the future through increased recovery and utilization. Recovery can be increased through the degasification of coalbeds and surrounding rocks prior to and during mining, using vertical wells, gob wells, or in-mine recovery methods. Increased recoverability and utilization of coalbed methane will have the benefits of improving mine safety and productivity and providing a clean energy source for a growing economy.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994