Valuable lessons from acquiring 3D seismic for coal-seam gas

Abstract

Coalbed methane (CBM), or coal-seam gas (CSG), is being developed on a basinwide scale primarily as feedstock for three new liquefied natural-gas (LNG) facilities on the east coast of Australia. A recent 3D seismic survey acquired specifically for CSG in the Surat and Bowen basins shows that although structural detail of the reservoir is a valuable tool, deriving other information for reservoir characterization from thinly bedded coals requires a thorough investigation of the effects of high-reflectivity thin beds. Although work continues to progress, the results so far suggest that 3D seismic surveys can provide information for improved reservoir characterization.