Optimization of enhanced coal-bed methane recovery using numerical simulation

Abstract

Although the enhanced coal-bed methane (ECBM) recovery process is one of the potential coal bed methane production enhancement techniques, the effectiveness of the process is greatly dependent on the seam and the injecting gas properties. This study has therefore aimed to obtain a comprehensive knowledge of all possible major ECBM process-enhancing techniques by developing a novel 3D numerical model by considering a typical coal seam using the COMET 3 reservoir simulator. Interestingly, according to the results of the model, the generally accepted concept that there is greater CBM (coal-bed methane) production enhancement from CO2 injection, compared to the traditional water removal techniqu..