Inducing fractures and increasing cleat apertures in a bituminous coal under isotropic stress via application of microwave energy

For the degassing of coal seams, either prior to mining or in un-minable seams to obtain coalbed methane, it is the combination of cleat frequency, aperture, connectivity, stress, and mineral occlusions that control permeability. Unfortunately, many potential coalbeds have limited permeability and are thus marginal for economic methane extraction. Enhanced coalbed methane production, with concurrent CO₂ sequestration is also challenging due to limited CO₂ injectivity. Microwave energy can, in the absence of confining stress, induce fractures in coal. Here, creation of new fractures and increasing existing cleat apertures via short burst, high-energy microwave energy was evaluated for an isotropically stressed and an unstressed bituminous coal core. A microwave-transparent argon gas pressurized (1000 psi) polycarbonate vessel was constructed to apply isotropic stress simulating ~ 1800 foot depth. Cleat frequency and distribution was determined for the two cores via micro-focused X-ray computed tomography. Evaluation occurred before and after microwave exposure with and without the application of isotropic stress during exposure. Optical microscopy was performed for tomography cleat aperture calibration and also to examine lithotypes influences on fracture: initiation, propagation, frequency, and orientation. It was confirmed that new fractures are induced via high-energy microwave exposure in an unconfined bituminous core and that the aperture increased in existing cleats. Cleat/fracture volume, following microwave exposure increased from 1.8% to 16.1% of the unconfined core volume. For the first time, similar observations of fracture generation and aperture enhancement in coal were also determined for microwave exposure under isotropic stress conditions. An existing cleat aperture, determined from calibrated X-ray computed tomography increased from 0.17 mm to 0.32 mm. The cleat/fracture volume increased from 0.5% to 5.5%. Optical microscopy indicated that fracture initiated likely occurred in at least some cases at fusain microlithotypes. Presumably this was due to the open pore volumes and potential for bulk water presence or steam pressure buildup in these locations. For the major induced fractures, they were mostly horizontal (parallel to the bedding plane) and often contained within lithotype bands. Thus it appears likely that microwaves have the potential to enhance the communication between horizontal wellbore and existing cleat network, in coal seams at depth, for improved gas recovery or CO₂ injection.     

Interpretation of carbon dioxide diffusion behavior in coals

Storage of carbon dioxide in geological formations is for many countries one of the options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus to satisfy the Kyoto agreements. The CO₂ storage in unminable coal seams has the advantage that it stores CO₂ emissions from industrial processes and can be used to enhance coalbed methane recovery (CO₂-ECBM). For this purpose, the storage capacity of coal is an important reservoir parameter. While the amount of CO₂ sorption data on various natural coals has increased in recent years, only few measurements have been performed to estimate the rate of CO₂ sorption under reservoir conditions. An understanding of gas transport is crucial for processes associated with CO₂ injection, storage and enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) production.A volumetric experimental set-up has been used to determine the rate of sorption of carbon dioxide in coal particles at various pressures and various grain size fractions. The pressure history during each pressure step was measured. The measurements are interpreted in terms of temperature relaxation and transport/sorption processes within the coal particles. The characteristic times of sorption increase with increasing pressure. No clear dependence of the characteristic time with respect to the particle size was found. At low pressures (below 1 MPa) fast gas diffusion is the prevailing mechanism for sorption, whereas at higher pressures, the slow diffusion process controls the gas uptake by the coal.     

Modeling of ECBM recovery from Amasra coalbed in Zonguldak Basin,Turkey

Zonguldak coal basin is the only productive hard coal basin of Turkey. The eastern part of the basin is called as Bartin–Amasra District, which has deeper coal seams. The depth and difficulty of mining these coal seams make this district an important candidate for coalbed methane (CBM) recovery. However, there is not enough reservoir data for modeling purposes. In this study, the lithologic information collected for coal mining industry was used to determine the correlations and the continuity of the coal seams. The lithologic information was examined and the depths of the coal seams and the locations of the exploration boreholes were used to perform a reliable correlation using a new method. As a result of the correlation study, 63 continuous coal layers were found. A statistical reserve estimation of each coal layer for methane was made by using Monte Carlo simulation method. The initial methane in place found in the coal layers both in free and adsorbed states were estimated using probabilistic simulations resulted in possible reserve (P10) of 2.07 billion m³, probable reserve (P50) of 1.35 billion m³ and proven reserves (P90) of 0.86 billion m³.Among the determined continuous coal layers, coal layer #26 was selected for a preliminary investigation of the applicability of enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) recovery and CO₂ storage. The scarcity of coal seam reservoir data required a sensitivity study for the effects of reservoir parameters on operational performance indicators. The effects of adsorption, coal density, permeability, cleat porosity and permeability anisotropy parameters were examined using the Computer Modeling Group's (CMG) GEM module.     

Assessment of shrinkage–swelling influences in coal seams using rank-dependent physical coal properties

Characterization of coal reservoirs and determination of in-situ physical coal properties related to transport mechanism are complicated due to having lack of standard procedures in the literature. By considering these difficulties, a new approach has been developed proposing the usage of relationships between coal rank and physical coal properties. In this study, effects of shrinkage and swelling (SS) on total methane recovery at CO₂ breakthrough (TMRB), which includes ten-year primary methane recovery and succeeding enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) recovery up to CO₂ breakthrough, and CO₂ sequestration have been investigated by using rank-dependent coal properties. In addition to coal rank, different coal reservoir types, molar compositions of injected fluid, and parameters within the extended Palmer & Mansoori (P&M) permeability model were considered. As a result of this study, shrinkage and swelling lead to an increase in TMRB. Moreover, swelling increased CO₂ breakthrough time and decreased displacement ratio and CO₂ storage for all ranks of coal. Low-rank coals are affected more negatively than high-rank coals by swelling. Furthermore, it was realized that dry coal reservoirs are more influenced by swelling than others and saturated wet coals are more suitable for eliminating the negative effects of CO₂ injection. In addition, it was understood that it is possible to reduce swelling effect of CO₂ on cleat permeability by mixing it with N₂ before injection. However, an economical optimization is required for the selection of proper gas mixture. Finally, it is concluded from sensitivity analysis that elastic modulus is the most important parameter, except the initial cleat porosity, controlling SS in the extended P&M model by highly affecting TMRB.     

沁水盆地煤层割理的充填特征及形成过程

煤层作为煤层气的源岩和储集层,与常规天然气储层不同在于煤储层是一种双孔隙岩层,由基质孔隙和裂隙组成,且有自身独特的割理系统,基质孔隙和割理的大小、形态、孔隙度和连通性等决定了煤层气的储集、运移和产出,其中以割理系统对煤层气的产出最为重要。本文以沁水煤田为例,对煤层割理、割理填充物类型、充填方式、自生矿物形成时代进行了研究,总结了填充物形成的先后顺序,并根据填充物的形成时代、煤层埋藏史等提出了割理形成的3种机制：埋藏增压机制;岩浆诱发机制;抬升卸压机制。     

Flue gas and pure CO2 sorption properties of coal: A comparative study

Presently many research projects focus on the reduction of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions. It is intended to apply underground storage techniques such as flue gas injection in unminable coal seams. In this context, an experimental study has been performed on the adsorption of pure CO₂ and preferential sorption behavior of flue gas. A coal sample from the Silesian Basin in Poland (0.68% V Rr), measured in the dry and wet state at 353 K has been chosen for this approach. The flue gas used was a custom class industrial flue gas with 10.9% of CO₂, 0.01% of CO, 9% of H₂, 3.01% of CH₄, 3.0% of O₂, 0.106% of SO₂ and nitrogen as balance.Adsorption isotherms of CO₂ and flue gas were measured upto a maximum of 11 MPa using a volumetric method. Total excess sorption capacities for CO₂ on dry and wet Silesia coal ranged between 1.9 and 1.3 mmol/g, respectively. Flue gas sorption capacities on dry and wet Silesia coal were much lower and ranged between 0.45 and 0.2 mmol/g, respectively, at pressures of 8 MPa. The low sorption capacity of wet coal has resulted from water occupying some of the more active adsorption sites and hence reducing the heterogeneity of adsorption sites relative to that of dry coal. Desorption tests with flue gas were conducted to study the degree of preferential sorption of the individual components. These experiments indicate that CO₂ is by far the prefered sorbing component under both wet and dry conditions. This is followed by CH₄. N₂ adsorbs very little on the coal in the presence of CO₂ and CH₄. It is also observed that the adsorption of CO₂ onto coal is not significantly hindered by the addition of other gases, other than dilution effect of the pressure.In addition to the sorption experiments, the density of the flue gas mixture has been determined up to 18 MPa at 318 K. A very good precision of these measurements were documented by volumetric methods.     

Preliminary reservoir model of enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) in a subbituminous coal seam,Huntly Coalfield,New Zealand

The Huntly coalfield has significant coal deposits that contain biogenically-sourced methane. The coals are subbituminous in rank and Eocene in age and have been previously characterised with relatively low to moderate measured gas (CH₄) contents (2–4 m³/ton). The CO₂ holding capacity is relatively high (18.0 m³/ton) compared with that of CH₄ (2.6 m³/ton) and N₂ (0.7 m³/ton) at the same pressure (4 MPa; all as received basis). The geothermal gradient is also quite high at 55 °C/km.A study has been conducted which simulates enhancement of methane recovery (ECBM) from these deposits using a new version of the TOUGH2 (version 2) reservoir simulator (ECBM-TOUGH2) that can handle non-isothermal, multi-phase flows of mixtures of water, CH₄, CO₂ and N₂. The initial phase of the simulation is CH₄ production for the first 5 years of the field history. The model indicates that methane production can be significantly improved (from less than 80% recovery to nearly 90%) through injection of CO₂. However, although an increase in the rate of CO₂ injection increases the amount of CO₂ sequestered, the methane recovery (because of earlier breakthrough with increasing injection rate) decreases. Modeling of pure N₂ injection produced little enhanced CH₄ production. The injection of a hypothetical flue gas mixture (CO₂ and N₂) also produced little increase in CH₄ production. This is related to the low adsorption capacity of the Huntly coal to N₂ which results in almost instantaneous breakthrough into the production well.     

Binary gas sorption/desorption experiments on a bituminous coal: Simultaneous measurements on sorption kinetics,volumetric strain and acoustic emission

There is still no clear understanding of the specific interactions between coal and gas molecules. In this context sorption–desorption studies of methane and carbon dioxide, both in a single gas environment and gas mixtures, are of fundamental interest. This paper presents the results of unique simultaneous measurements of sorption kinetics, volumetric strain and acoustic emission (AE) on three tetragonal coal samples subjected to sorption of carbon dioxide and methane mixtures. The coal was a high volatile bituminous C coal taken from the Budryk mine in the Upper Silesia Basin, Poland. Three different gas mixtures were used in the sorption tests, with dominant CO₂, with dominant CH₄ and a 50/50 mixture.The experimental set-up was designed specially for this study. It consisted of three individual units working together: (i) a unit for gas sorption experiments using a volumetric method, (ii) an AE apparatus for detecting, recording and analysing AE, and (iii) a strain meter for measuring strains induced in the coal sample by gas sorption/desorption. All measurements were computer aided.The experiments indicated that the coal tested showed preferential sorption of CH₄ at 2.6 MPa pressure and exhibited comparable affinities for CH₄ and CO₂ at higher pressures (4.0 MPa). The results of chromatographic analysis of the gas released on desorption suggested that the desorption of methane from the coal was favoured. The relationship between the volumetric strain and the amount of sorbed gas was found to be non-linear. These results were contrary to common opinions on the coal behaviour. Furthermore, it appeared that the swelling/shrinkage of coal was clearly influenced by the network of fractures. Besides, the AE and strain characteristics suggested common sources of sorption induced AE and strain.The present results may have implications for the sequestration of carbon dioxide in coal seams and enhanced coalbed methane recovery (ECBM).     

Selection of coals of different maturities for CO2 Storage by modelling of CH4 and CO2 adsorption isotherms

CO₂ injection in unmineable coal seams could be one interesting option for both storage and methane recovery processes. The objective of this study is to compare and model pure gas sorption isotherms (CO₂ and CH₄) for well-characterised coals of different maturities to determine the most suitable coal for CO₂ storage. Carbon dioxide and methane adsorption on several coals have been investigated using a gravimetric adsorption method. The experiments were carried out using both CO₂ and CH₄ pure gases at 25 °C from 0.1 to 5 MPa (1 to 50 bar). The experimental results were fitted using Temkin's approach but also with the corrected Langmuir's and the corrected Tóth's equations. The two last approaches are more accurate from a thermodynamical point of view, and have the advantage of taking into account the fact that experimental data (isotherms) correspond to excess adsorption capacities. These approaches allow better quantification of the adsorbed gas. Determined CO₂ adsorption capacities are from 0.5 to 2 mmol/g of dry coal. Modelling provides also the affinity parameters of the two gases for the different coals. We have shown these parameters determined with adsorption models could be used for classification and first selection of coals for CO₂ storage. The affinity ratio ranges from a value close to 1 for immature coals to 41 for high rank coals like anthracites. This ratio allows selecting coals having high CO₂ adsorption capacities. In our case, the modelling study of a significant number of coals from various ranks shows that anthracites seem to have the highest CO₂ storage capacities. Our study provides high quality affinity parameters and values of CO₂ and CH₄ adsorption capacities on various coals for the future modelling of CO₂ injection in coal seams.     

沁水盆地南部TS地区煤层气储层测井评价方法

煤层气是一种自生自储于煤岩地层的非常规天然气资源,其储层测井评价内容及方法不同于常规天然气,在煤层气勘探开发过程中更关注于有关煤岩工业分析组分、基质孔隙度、裂缝渗透率及煤层含气量等一系列关键的储层参数。针对沁水盆地南部TS地区煤层气勘探目标层,分析了各种测井响应特征,采用回归分析法计算煤岩工业分析组分;针对煤层气含量影响因素众多且较为复杂的特点,结合相关地区煤岩样品实验分析结果,利用基于等温吸附实验的兰氏煤阶方程估算煤层含气量参数;通过煤岩孔隙结构的分析,采用变骨架密度的密度孔隙度计算公式求取煤岩总孔隙度,利用迭代逼近算法计算裂缝孔隙度;根据煤岩裂缝中面割理发育而端割理不甚发育的特点,以简化的单组系板状裂缝模型计算煤岩裂缝渗透率。通过对TS-A井进行实际计算,结果表明,煤岩工业分析组分和煤层含气量计算结果精度高,总孔隙度一般在5.5%左右,而裂缝孔隙度则大多小于0.5%,裂缝渗透率主要分布在0.001×10-3～10×10-3μm2之间,孔渗参数计算结果与相邻井区现有资料相符。采用测井方法可以快速、系统地对煤层气储层多种参数进行准确评价。     

Features of the Excess Adsorption Isotherms of High-Pressure Methane Adsorption on Coal and Simulation Model

<正>Four coal samples of different ranks are selected to perform the adsorption measurement of high-pressure methane(CH4).The highest equilibrium pressure of the measurement exceeds 20 MPa. Combined with the measuring results and theoretical analyses,the reasons for the peak or the maximum adsorption capacity appearing in the excess adsorption isotherms are explained.The rules of the peak occurrence are summarized.And then,based on the features of coal pore structure,the adsorption features of high-pressure gas,the microcosmic interaction relationship of coal surface and CH4 molecule,and the coalbed methane reservoir conditions,three theoretical assumptions on the coal adsorption high-pressure CH_4 are suggested.Thereafter,on the basis of these theoretical assumptions,the Ono-Kondo lattice model is processed for simplification and deformation. Subsequently,the equations modeling the excess adsorption isotherm of high-pressure CH_4 adsorption on coal are obtained.Through the verification on the measurement data,the fitting results indicate that it is feasible to use the Ono-Kondo lattice mode to model the excess adsorption isotherm of high-pressure CH_4 adsorption on coal.     

Fluid flow characteristics of Bandanna Coal Formation: a case study from the Fairview Field,eastern Australia

Fluid flow characteristics of cleat systems in coalbed methane reservoirs are crucial in reservoir management and field development plans. This paper aims to evaluate the cleat system properties including cleat porosity, permeability, and aperture as well as the impact of permeability growth on production performance in the Bandanna Coal Formation of the Fairview Field, eastern Queensland. Owing to the presence of bad hole conditions and poor core recovery of the coal intervals, the petrophysical well logs and laboratory measurements cannot be used as a source of information for this purpose. Hence, a new approach is employed that utilises early water production data to measure water in place and absolute permeability of the coal. In addition, micro-computed tomography (CT) scan method is used to investigate the cleat system that is preserved in a core sample and results are compared with the ones obtained by analysis of production data. Cleat system evaluation by analysis of production data and micro-CT scan technique provides a comprehensive approach that brings confidence in measurements and helps to obtain cleat properties at the sufficient scale for reservoir engineering purposes. The necessary information including production data and core samples are collected from a dewatering well and the nearby observation well in the study area. Analysis of early water production data (single-phase flow) indicates that coal permeability is 189 mD and the average cleat porosity is approximately 5%. High cleat porosity describes the large volume of water produced over the life of the study well. The 3D model of the fossilised cleat system constructed by the micro-CT scan method reveals that coal is well-cleated and cleat spacing and mean cleat aperture are 4 and 0.136 mm, respectively. The average cleat porosity that is measured by the micro-CT scan method is 5.7%, which is fairly close to the cleat porosity measured by analysis of production data. Production data analysis indicates that effective permeability to gas starts to grow at the midlife of the well and it strongly controls the shape of the production profile. The results of this study help in future field development and infill drilling programs in the Fairview Field and provide important insights into cleat system of Bandanna Coal Formation.     

Simulation study of CO2 sequestration potential of the Mary Lee coal zone, Black Warrior basin

Significant potential exists for CO₂ sequestration in coalbed methane reservoirs of the Black Warrior basin. Reservoir simulation is an appropriate approach to estimate both the storage capacity and methane recovery enhancement. However, prior to a reliable reservoir modeling and simulation, conducting an accurate and comprehensive reservoir characterization study is necessary. The purpose of the present study is twofold: (a) to provide a rigorous reservoir characterization study required for modeling Mary Lee coal group in the Blue Creek field of the Black Warrior basin; (b) to run fluid flow simulations to predict the performance of ECBM process applied to an under pressured zone of the Mary Lee coal group. According to the current well configuration of Blue Creek field, three applicable well patterns, namely a direct line drive, an inverted 5-spot and a normal 5-spot were separately (i.e., in three distinct cases) used for simulating ECBM. Simulations were run on an approximately 32 ha (80-acre) drainage area, and included coal matrix shrinkage/swelling effects. The injected gas was assumed to be pure CO₂. Using an inverted 5-spot pattern, simulations predicted that after 7.5 years of CO₂ injection, approximately 32,000 tonnes of CO₂ would be sequestered per 32 ha of this zone and that methane recovery would be enhanced by 36 %. Using a normal 5-spot pattern, CO₂ breakthrough would occur 2.4 years earlier, and about 40,000 tonnes CO₂ would be sequestered. However, methane production would be enhanced by 33 %. Considering methane recovery enhancement, direct line drive pattern delivered poor results in comparison with two other patterns. As expected, the results also showed that CO₂ injection would increase water production.     

低煤阶煤中甲烷扩散性能分析

甲烷在煤基质中的扩散性能是影响煤层气产出的重要储层参数。采用云南东南部地区新近系中新统小龙潭组褐煤样品,开展了低煤阶煤中甲烷等温吸附实验。基于等温吸附实验获得的吸附量与时间的关系数据,应用一元孔隙结构气体非稳态扩散模型,计算了煤中甲烷气体扩散系数,揭示了煤中甲烷扩散规律和控制机理。研究结果表明,低煤阶煤中气体扩散规律服从Langmuir方程,煤中甲烷有效扩散系数和扩散系数随着压力的增高而增大;吸附时间常数随着压力的增高而减小,服从负指数函数规律。4个实验煤样Langmuir有效扩散系数和扩散系数分别是（1.71~5.46）×10-4 s-1和（2.17~6.91）×10-12 m2/s,Langmuir压力为0.63~1.97 MPa。在相同温度和压力条件下,干燥煤样的有效扩散系数和扩散系数大于平衡水分煤样,随着温度的增高,其有效扩散系数和扩散系数增加,煤中气体扩散性能增强。      

Shrinkage and swelling of coal induced by desorption and sorption of fluids: Theoretical model and interpretation of a field project

Geologic sequestration in deep unmineable coal seams and enhanced coalbed methane production is a promising choice, economically and environmentally, to reduce anthropogenic gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Unmineable coal seams are typically known to adsorb large amounts of carbon dioxide in comparison to the sizeable amounts of sorbed methane, which raises the potential for large scale sequestration projects. During the process of sequestration, carbon dioxide is injected into the coalbed and desorbed methane is produced. The coal matrix is believed to shrink when a gas is desorbed and swell when a gas is sorbed, sometimes causing profound changes in the cleat porosity and permeability of the coal seam. These changes may have significant impact on the reservoir performance. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the combined influence of swelling and shrinkage, and geomechanical properties including elastic modulus, cleat porosity, and permeability of the reservoir.The present paper deals with the influence of swelling and shrinkage on the reservoir performance, and the geomechanical response of the reservoir system during the process of geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide and enhanced coalbed methane production in an actual field project located in northern New Mexico. A three-dimensional swelling and shrinkage model was developed and implemented into an existing reservoir model to understand the influence of geomechanical parameters, as well as swelling and shrinkage properties, on the reservoir performance. Numerical results obtained from the modified simulator were compared to available measured values from that site and previous studies. Results show that swelling and shrinkage, and the combination of geomechanical and operational parameters, have a significant influence on the performance of the reservoir system.     

沁南-夏店区块煤储层等温吸附特征及含气量预测

煤的吸附能力是决定煤层含气量大小和煤层气开发潜力的重要储层参数。通过对沁南-夏店区块二叠系山西组3号煤层72个煤样进行等温吸附实验,剖析了3号煤层煤的吸附性能,建立了基于Langmuir方程的煤层含气量预测方法,揭示了研究区3号煤层煤的吸附性能及含气量分布。研究结果表明,沁南-夏店区块3号煤层主要为贫煤和无烟煤,煤的空气干燥基Langmuir体积为18.15~34.75 m3/t,平均29.36 m3/t;Langmuir压力为1.47~2.71 MPa,平均2.03 MPa;煤储层压力梯度0.11~1.06 MPa/hm,平均0.49 MPa/hm,煤储层压力随着煤层埋藏深度的增加而增高;煤层含气饱和度整体呈欠饱和状态。通过预测模型预测研究区3号煤层含气量2.87~24.63 m3/t,平均13.78 m3/t,且随着埋藏深度的增加而增高,其含气量相对沁水盆地南部偏低。煤储层含气量分布主要受控于本区煤层生气、储气和保存等因素。      

Sorption of methane on lignite from Polish deposits

Coal samples from Miocene lignite deposits (ortholignite—ECE-UN 2002) in Belchatow, Adamow, Konin and Turow (Poland) were analyzed to determine the relationships between coal properties and gas capacity.Investigations presented here addressed the occurrence of methane sorbet in lignite deposits within Poland's largest penetrated lignite deposits (e.g., Belchatow, Adamow, Turow and Konin).Lignite samples collected from surface mines were detritic coal with variable contents of xylites. The highest level of xylites (up to 25 vol.%) was found in carbon samples taken from the Belchatow deposit. Samples from other mines contained no more than 10 vol.% xylites. Petrographic compositions were dominated by huminite group macerals (73-88 vol.%) with atrinite, densinite and texto-ulminite, a porous form of ulminite; inertinite groups were less important components (4-8 vol.%).Isotherms were determined for methane sorption at 298 K with test pressure ranges below 1.2 MPa. At a pressure of 1.0 MPa, the largest gas capacity of approximately 1.7 [dm³ STP/kg] was found in the sample from Belchatow. This result may have been attributable to differences in the porosity of the samples; the porosity of the sample from Belchatow was twice as high as the porosities of the other coal samples. This variation in porosity resulted from the lithologic and maceral composition of the coal sample that contained substantial quantities of porous textinite and texto-ulminite.The thermal sorption equation was used to determine the limiting values of isosteric enthalpy of sorption, which suggested weak interactions between methane and the lignite matrix. The residual gas capacity of the tested samples was also determined.All samples exhibited a high residual methane-bearing capacity, which may not only cause methane to be released from coal at a pressure of 1 bar but also may pose a gas risk during mining operations.     

Uncertainty of gas saturation estimates in a subbituminous coal seam

To assess the commercial viability of a coalbed methane prospect two of the key geological parameters measured are gas content (desorbed gas) and gas holding capacity (adsorption capacity). These two measures, together with reservoir pressure, give an estimate of the gas saturation of the reservoir. Typically gas saturation has been assessed by collecting one adsorption isotherm sample and assuming it is representative of the whole seam reservoir conditions. This study addresses that assumption.To understand the level of variation, and thus the inherent uncertainty in saturation, one core (Jasper-1) from the Huntly coalfield in New Zealand was analysed in detail. Ten samples (representing the whole coal seam) were placed into gas desorption canisters and desorbed for ten days and then analysed for adsorption capacity. Desorption analyses for total measured gas content (average in-situ basis) ranged from 2.32 to 2.89 m³/t (standard deviation (sd) = 0.18) and gas adsorptive capacity at 4 MPa (average in-situ basis) from 2.11 to 3.51 m³/t (sd = 0.38) resulting in saturations ranging from 66% to 120% (sd = 15).Determination of how many samples are required to make a realistic assessment of average reservoir properties requires a consideration of: (i) the level of accuracy desired, (ii) the limit of accuracy possible, which is governed by the magnitude of experimental error, and (iii) the innate variability of the seam. It was found that a minimum of five samples each for adsorption and desorption were required in order to significantly decrease the uncertainty in gas saturation estimates for a subbituminous coal.     

构造抬升过程中煤储层吸附能力的耦合效应及控制因素

煤层气盆地在地史演化过程中几乎都经历了多次抬升作用,构造抬升作用对煤储层吸附能力有着直接的影响。本文拟通过物理模拟实验和数值模拟对构造抬升过程中煤储层吸附能力的耦合效应和控制因素进行探讨。研究中选取高、低煤阶煤储层样品进行等温吸附实验,并假定地温梯度为分别为2℃/100m、4℃/100m和6℃/100m,压力梯度分别为0.3MPa/100m、0.5 MPa/100m和1.0MPa/100m模拟抬升过程中吸附量的变化。研究结果表明,煤储层在构造抬升过程中的吸附能力的变化主要受温压综合作用、煤储层热演化程度和构造抬升强度的控制。构造抬升时,温度作用效果占主导地位,煤储层吸附量增加;反之,压力作用效果占主导地位,煤储层吸附量减少。高煤阶煤层吸附量的变化量大于低煤阶变化量。抬升强度较大时煤层吸附量持续降低,较小时会使吸附量增加。煤层气在抬升过程中可能会出现吸附或解吸,与以往只是解吸的认识不同。当温度作用效果大于压力作用效果,即煤储层吸附量增加时,抬升作用易导致煤储层的含气欠饱和。     

煤层处置CO2 的二元气- 固耦合数值模拟

利用不可开采煤层处置二氧化碳可以有效控制温室气体的排放量并可驱动和增加煤层气资源的开采量。二氧化碳注入煤层处置后引入一个复杂的CH4-CO2二元气体与煤体的气固耦合问题,耦合了二元气体竞争吸附、竞争扩散,气体渗流以及煤体变形过程。基于COMSOL Multiphysics建立了二元气固耦合的有限元数值模型,并应用数值模拟实验对二元气固耦合进行了机理分析。模拟结果表明,CO2注入煤层后不断驱替CH4,CH4组分明显减少;气体吸附引起的煤层膨胀量可以抵消部分有效应力引起的压缩变形,由于CH4-CO2二元气体较单一CH4引起的煤层吸附膨胀量大,二氧化碳注入煤层后可以缓解煤层的压缩变形;不同孔隙压力条件下,吸附膨胀与孔隙压力两者竞争作用引起的煤层净变形不同,而净变形也控制着煤层孔隙压力和渗流率的变化,煤层渗透整体呈现先降后升,模拟进行到4.66×107 s时煤层渗透率发生反弹。