Coalbed methane has great potential as a relativelysecure, clean, and cost effective U.S. energy supply. However, thelack of geologic knowledge regarding fracture development incoalbeds seriously hinders reserve definition and development ofthis important resource. Cleat systems in coal are the primarypermeability determinant for successful recovery of coalbed methanefrom high rank coal. Coal compositional and structural parameterswith a high probability for predicting coal cleat development arebeing measured and evaluated in a controlled study area in thenorthwest Piceance Basin, Colorado. Parameters that can predictcoal cleat intensity are being quantitatively related to: (1) adetailed coal stratigraphic system encoded from high densitysubsurface control; and (2) the excellent structural controlavailable. Resulting trends are being integrated to yield mappable units of relative coalbed methane recoverabilitypotential. Phase I of this research project is developing,calibrating, and testing an integrated evaluation system thatdefines areas with favorable fracture development for coalbedmethane recovery. After the rapid system of evaluation iscalibrated, it can be applied to other areas with high coalbedmethane potential to expedite the availability of this importantenergy resource to the Nation.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee:The evaluation system could be expanded to include:(1) larger, more complex areas; (2) evaluation of methane quantityin place in coalbeds; (3) calibration with actual coalbed methane production; and (4) computer-based evaluation and mappingto yield realistic geographic evaluation of coalbed methaneproduction potential. This evaluation system has significantpotential utility in commercial coalbed methane exploration anddevelopment, reserve calculation, and land use planning for energydevelopment.
