Microbial Enhanced Methane Production

AITF is looking at technology to enhance biogenic methane production, or methanogenesis, in deep unmineable coal beds. This would potentially have numerous benefits:

• accelerating methane production in naturally occurring coal bed methane reservoirs
• converting sequestered CO₂ to methane by injecting CO₂ or flue gas into coal beds to enhance CBM recovery
• increasing shale gas recovery

Our methanogenesis activities focus on enhancing coal bed methane production through the injection of naturally occurring microbes and nutrients into coal beds.

This provides an opportunity to increase methane production rates significantly, while reducing environmental impacts. We are also looking to see if this technology can increase the reservoir's capacity for permanent CO₂ storage.

Partners in research

We are working with industry, universities and technology providers - each of our partners has particular expertise relating to one or more aspects of methanogenic technology. This helps us:

• understand the potential for this technology
• explore new applications
• share ideas and development costs