Quantitative Prediction of Deep Coalbed Methane Content in Daning-Jixian Block, Ordos Basin, China

Abstract

The potential of deep coalbed methane resources is substantial. Gas content is an important parameter for resource assessment. At present, the gas content test method commonly used for shallow coal reservoirs is not suitable for determining deep coalbed methane gas content. Therefore, it is urgent to establish a prediction method for deep coalbed methane gas content. This study aims to quantitatively predict the gas content of coalbed methane in deep coal reservoirs and uncover its influencing factors. For this purpose, we selected the Daning-Jixian area, a region in China with relatively advanced development of deep coalbed methane, as a case study. It established a prediction model for adsorbed gas and free gas content in deep coal reservoirs through a series of experimental tests, encompassing gas content, coal quality, isothermal adsorption, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The model sheds light on the impact of coal-rock characteristics, coal quality attributes, and pore characteristics on adsorbed gas and free gas content. The results show that adsorbed gas dominates in deep coal reservoirs with a high metamorphic degree and that the average proportion of adsorbed gas under reservoir burial depth is 80.15%. At a depth of approximately 1800~2000 m, a turning point is observed where adsorbed gas content begins to decline. Beyond this depth range, the detrimental effect of temperature on coalbed methane content surpasses the beneficial impact of pressure. Coal quality characteristics play a major role in controlling adsorbed gas content, and an increase in water content and ash yield significantly reduces the adsorption performance of coal reservoirs. The content of free gas increases with the increase in burial depth, with its controlling factors primarily being confining pressure and porosity. The increase in the proportion of micropores in the pores of deep coal reservoirs has an adverse effect on the content of free gas. The proportion of adsorbed gas in deep coal reservoirs gradually decreases with the increase in burial depth, while the proportion of free gas gradually rises with the increase in burial depth. The development potential of free gas cannot be overlooked in the exploration and development of deep coalbed methane.