CIDA CO2 ECBM project in China

In 2003, AITF started work as the project lead for a $10 million joint CO₂ ECBM project between the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

Located in the south Qinshui Basin of Shanxi Province in North China, this pilot project is testing the viability of storing CO₂ in deep, unmineable coalbeds, and of enhancing coalbed methane recovery by CO₂ injection. 

In the initial phase of the project 192 metric tonnes of liquid CO₂ were injected into a single coal seam in 13 injection cycles, soaked, and produced back.

Ultimately, viable uses of ECBM technologies could help to provide a clean energy source for China.

Phase One Goals Achieved

The initial goals of this project have been met, including:

• accurately measuring data while injecting into and producing from a single well
• obtaining estimates of reservoir properties and sorption behaviour
• using calibrated simulation models to predict the behaviour of a larger scale pilot project or full field development

Future phases of the project involve the design and implementation of a multi-well pilot and evaluation of the commercial prospects of the ECBM technology.

International Partnership

Co-funded by the Canadian and Chinese governments, this successfully demonstrated that coal seams in this part of China are permeable and stable enough to absorb CO₂ and enhance methane production, thereby providing a clean energy source for China. 

The core members of the project are:

• Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures
• Sproule International
• Computer Modelling Group (CMG)
• China United Coalbed Methane Corporation