Reservoir characterization and impact of methane rich coal deposits of Central India

India has vast deposits of coal reserve, which are often associated with trapped gas in form of Coalbed Methane. The composition of CBM is similar to natural gas and it’s a superior fuel compared to coal. The presence of trapped CBM inside coal seams acts a potential threat to the coal mines leading to gas contamination and explosion. Parallelly, methane is a greenhouse gas (GHG) with global warming potential about twenty-five times higher than carbon dioxide and its fugitive emission in a massive environmental hazard. Therefore, pre-mining degasification of coal seams is very essential for ensuring safety in coal mines (especially underground mines). In addition to safety, suitable methane handling in coal mines enhances the economy as it acts as a standalone business. The present paper attempts to investigate the reservoir characteristics of methane rich coal seams of Sonhat Coalfield and also monitors the environmental as well as economic impact of trapped gas.