Geological Controls of the Coalbed Methane (CBM) Enrichment in the Zhengzhuang Coal Zone, Southern Qinshui Basin, China

Abstract

For finding out favorable coalbed methane development districts, the evaluation of geological controls of CBM distribution and accumulation is essential during CBM exploration and development. In this paper, the No. 3 coal seam in the Zhengzhuang coal zone located at southern Qinshui Basin, China, was selected as a focus for comprehensively evaluating geological controls of CBM. The findings of this study are: (1) Coalbed gas contents increase with increasing mudstone roof thickness (ranging from 0-9 m), and will always be as high as 20 m3/t in the coal reservoirs with the mudstone roof thickness greater than about 9 m. (2) The weak transmission and stagnant coalbed water are favorable for CBM accumulation in coal reservoirs resulting from the typical hydraulic preservation of CBM. (3) High coalbed gas contents will commonly occur in vitrinite-rich and low-ash yield coals with high CH4 adsorptive capacity.