Gas flow pathways in coal seams

Purpose

The uncertainty of gas flow pathways within coal seam reservoirs is an issue for injection and long term containment of CO2. This analogue project will improve understanding of natural and induced changes in reservoir pressure, water and gas migration in coal seam reservoirs over time during production at the field scale. Understanding this variability in producing reservoir behaviour will provide better scale-up models for injection, enhanced residual gas recovery and potential sequestration of CO2.

Summary

This work entitled “Geological controls on gas flow pathways in coal” is being conducted by Ms Emma Kinnon MSc candidate and entails:

• literature review and confirmation of candidature for MSc.
• compilation and analysis of existing gas production data (reservoir pressures, water and gas make) over life of reservoir.
• analysis of well path and drilling data to determine operational controls on production behaviour.
• comparison of gas production behaviour to virgin reservoir conditions (saturation) and geological conditions.
• analysis of water and gas geochemistry to determine changes in reservoir and recharge behaviour.
• data integration and development of conceptual gas flow models and influence on enhanced coal bed methane recovery.
• thesis write up and presentations at CRC and other public fora.