Estimation of reserves and prospective resources of Coalbed methane (CBM) in Peru

Abstract

Methane and coal form together during carbonification, a process in which the biomass is converted by biological and geological forces into coal. Methane is adsorbed by the molecular structure of coal and is released by a simple desorption process when the water present in the fissures of the coal formation is dislodged. Although the development of these unconventional deposits of Coalbed Methane (CBM) has not been applied in Peru, there is a good prospect of CBM development in the Goyllarisquizga and Jatunhuasi formations. Reserve estimation techniques include volumetric material balance, decrease curve analysis, simulation studies, and geophysical techniques. Entries for initially estimation of original gas in place (OGIP include geological parameters, specific parameters of carbon layer methane (CBM), and production history. Bituminous coal from the Goyllarisquizga and Jatunhuasi basins is very suitable for the exploration of CBM in terms of its depth of occurrence, the thickness of coal formation, coal reserve, and area extension. Consequently, the total gas that can be produced is 3 TSCF.