A brief overview of what the Coal Bed Methane is

1. Amol Agarwal
CBM as an energy source

2. What is CBM ?
 It is a natural gas produced from coal seams
 Sweet gas- mostly contains methane
 Other components are ethane, propane , butane

3. Origin
 Organic material with temperature and pressure effect
 Volatile substances such as methane , water result in
contraction
 Contraction further results in formation of cleats

4. How methane is trapped in coal bed?
 Methane is adsorbed in the coal
Adsorption
Physisorption Chemisorption
• Physisorption involves intermolecular forces b/w gas
molecules & coal. It is more endothermic.
• Chemisorption involves sharing & transfer of electrons.

5. Extraction
Coal bed pressure is decreased
 which make the gas come out
 Water is pumped out for
decreasing pressure

7. INDIAN RESERVES
Identified Blocks/Coalfields Reserves
(in BCM)
Reserves
(in TCF)
Rajmal, Jharkhand 158 5.58
Birbhum, W.B 50 1.77
Sohagpur 16.72 0.59
Singrauli Main Basin, MP 31 1.1
Tatapani-Ramkola, Chhattisgarh 53.78 1.9
Mand-Raigarh, Chhattisgarh 119 4.2
Southern Godavari Valley
(Kothaguden) AP
87.2 2.2
Northern Godavari Valley AP 29.65 1.05
Barmer Basin, Rajasthan 120 4.24

8. COMPARISON OF CBM FROM OTHER NATURAL
RESOURCES
On the basis of E&P
On the basis of environmental impacts of resources
On the basis of exploration and production cost(Pricing)

9. Indian scenario
3rd largest proven coal reserve
4th largest coal producer in the world
CBM reserve – 4.6 TCM
33 CBM blocks awarded in 4 rounds
DGH awarded 1.8 tcm reserves

10. Commercial development
Absence of E & P activity till 1997
2001, DGH invited bids through PSC
4 rounds have been completed till date
33 blocks were awarded
Gas in place (GIP) - 8.92 tcf
ONGC, RIL , Essar Oil , GEECL –main players

11. Indian projects
Raniganj(WB) -ONGC 90%
Coal India 10%
Bokaro & Karanpura – ONGC 80%,
Indian Oil 20%
Sohagpur (MP) - RIL
Private sector operators – Dart Energy, GEECL,
Deep industries & a consortium by Jindal petroleum
Satpura(MP) – Dart energy 80% ,
Tata power 20%
Assam – Dart energy 60%
Oil India 40%

12. CURRENT & FUTURE CHALLENGES
Surface Disturbance
Air Pollution
Hydraulic fracturing
Sand, proppants and particulates produced water
Contamination risks to ground and surface water
Methane contamination of water
Flaring

13. Major challenges for commercial development of
CBM assets
Lack of technical expertise and experience in CBM related
project development
Lack of data/information on field characterization and
hence technology selection toward reserve development
Regulatory challenges in the form of clearances and
pricing policies
Poor quality of reserves in terms of CBM saturation level