Unconventional Natural Gas From Abandoned Coal Mines: Modelling and Performance Prediction at the Frankenholz-St. Barbara Mining Complex

Abstract

This paper describes a joint research project carried out by Imperial College and Deutsche Steinkohle Aktiengesellschaft (DSK), in which the Imperial College in house gas-water two-phase Coalbed Methane (CBM) simulator was further developed to model abandoned mine methane recovery in the Saar Coalfield. Historical data on mining and methane emissions, as well as the long-term methane production data monitored at the Hangard shaft was used to validate the model developed. A satisfactory match tothe historical and currrent field data was achieved. Predictionsfor future production opportunities were made for the Allenfeld shaft in conjunction with production from the Hangard shaft which has been in production since 1960.