CO₂ Enhanced Coal Bed Methane (ECBM)

ARC is a global leader in CO₂coal bed methane recovery (ECBM), where CO₂ is injected into deep, unmineable coal beds, releasing the trapped methane and permanently storing the CO₂ underground. We have worked on ECBM projects in Alberta and around the world. Our experience includes:

• integrating CO₂ waste streams with potential ECBM reservoirs
• testing CBM reservoir responses to gaseous waste streams
• micro-pilot testing
• improving ECBM numerical reservoir simulators
• optimizing resource recovery for low permeability reservoirs
• Our plans for future work in ECBM include working with coalbed methane producers to develop multi-well pilots for demonstrating this technology.

Since 1997, we have led field projects that have proven the viability of producing coal bed methane from low permeability wells while providing a cost-effective way to reduce CO₂ emissions.

This work has also brought about development of integrated tools for modelling the economic and environmental opportunities of ECBM. Our Alberta expertise transfers effectively to projects in other parts of the world.

Our testing activities include:

• conducting repeated surface and down hole 3D-3C reflection seismic surveys
• doing baseline surveys to obtain an accurate depth model of the coals in the survey area
• capturing baseline measurements for comparison with later datasets

CO2 ECBM projects

CIDA CO₂ ECBM project in China

ARC led a $10 million CO₂ ECBM project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. The initial phase of the project saw 192 metric tonnes of liquid CO₂ injected into a single coal seam in 13 injection cycles, soaked, and produced back.

Read more about this project