Determination of in-situ stress direction from cleat orientation mapping for coal bed methane exploration in south-eastern part of Jharia coalfield, India

Accurate prediction of in-situ stress directions plays a key role in any Coal Bed Methane (CBM) exploration and exploitation project in order to estimate the production potential of the CBM reservoirs. Permeability is one of the most important factors for determination of CBM productivity. The coal seams in Jharia coalfield generally show low permeability in the range of 0.5 md to 3 md. To estimate the in-situ stress direction in the study area, an attempt has been made to undertake the cleat orientation mapping of four regional coal seams of two underground coal mines located at south-eastern part of Jharia coalfield, India. Cleat orientation mapping is critical to determine the maximum principal compressive horizontal stress (S_H) direction for CBM exploration and exploitation, which in turn controls the direction of maximum gas or water flow though coal beds. From the field study it is found that the average face and butt cleat azimuths are towards N15°W and N75°E respectively. Average permeability of the four above-mentioned major coal seams has been calculated from well logs of nine CBM wells distributing over an area of 7.5 km², adjacent to the underground mines. The cleat orientations are congruous with the regional lineament pattern and fits well with the average permeability contour map of the study area to infer the orientation of in-situ maximum horizontal stress. Goodness of fit for the exponential regressions between vertical stress and permeability for individual coal seams varies between 0.6 and 0.84. The cleat orientation is further validated from the previous fracture analysis using FMI well log in Parbatpur area located southern part of the Jharia coalfield. The major coal seams under the study area exhibit directional permeability, with the maximum permeability, oriented parallel to the direction of face cleat orientation.     

Application of X-ray computed tomography for analyzing cleat spacing and cleat aperture in coal samples

New techniques to determine distributions of cleat aperture, cleat orientation and cleat spacing from CT scans have been developed. For cleat orientation and spacing distributions, two different coal blocks were scanned. The CT scans have been analyzed for the three orthogonal directions. Histograms of the cleat orientations are bimodal, expressing the typical cleat texture of face and butt cleats and bedding perpendicular relaxation fractures. Deviations up to 20° from the peak values in the cleat orientation distributions were used as input for automated image analysis of cleat spacing. Distributions of the cleat spacing measurements are related to the face and butt cleat directions. The term “relevant cleat length” is introduced as a measure to extract the amount of cleat length involved with the cleat spacing measurements. The ratio ranges from 0.03 to 0.38 and expresses the difference in cleat texture in both samples. Cleat spacing versus relevant cleat length shows sample specific patterns for face cleat, butt cleat and bedding. To describe cleat aperture quantitatively, peak height and missing attenuation have been used. The image of a cleat was seen as a convolution of a rectangular fracture profile with a Gaussian point spread function.     

Inducing fractures and increasing cleat apertures in a bituminous coal under isotropic stress via application of microwave energy

For the degassing of coal seams, either prior to mining or in un-minable seams to obtain coalbed methane, it is the combination of cleat frequency, aperture, connectivity, stress, and mineral occlusions that control permeability. Unfortunately, many potential coalbeds have limited permeability and are thus marginal for economic methane extraction. Enhanced coalbed methane production, with concurrent CO₂ sequestration is also challenging due to limited CO₂ injectivity. Microwave energy can, in the absence of confining stress, induce fractures in coal. Here, creation of new fractures and increasing existing cleat apertures via short burst, high-energy microwave energy was evaluated for an isotropically stressed and an unstressed bituminous coal core. A microwave-transparent argon gas pressurized (1000 psi) polycarbonate vessel was constructed to apply isotropic stress simulating ~ 1800 foot depth. Cleat frequency and distribution was determined for the two cores via micro-focused X-ray computed tomography. Evaluation occurred before and after microwave exposure with and without the application of isotropic stress during exposure. Optical microscopy was performed for tomography cleat aperture calibration and also to examine lithotypes influences on fracture: initiation, propagation, frequency, and orientation. It was confirmed that new fractures are induced via high-energy microwave exposure in an unconfined bituminous core and that the aperture increased in existing cleats. Cleat/fracture volume, following microwave exposure increased from 1.8% to 16.1% of the unconfined core volume. For the first time, similar observations of fracture generation and aperture enhancement in coal were also determined for microwave exposure under isotropic stress conditions. An existing cleat aperture, determined from calibrated X-ray computed tomography increased from 0.17 mm to 0.32 mm. The cleat/fracture volume increased from 0.5% to 5.5%. Optical microscopy indicated that fracture initiated likely occurred in at least some cases at fusain microlithotypes. Presumably this was due to the open pore volumes and potential for bulk water presence or steam pressure buildup in these locations. For the major induced fractures, they were mostly horizontal (parallel to the bedding plane) and often contained within lithotype bands. Thus it appears likely that microwaves have the potential to enhance the communication between horizontal wellbore and existing cleat network, in coal seams at depth, for improved gas recovery or CO₂ injection.     

Fluid flow characteristics of Bandanna Coal Formation: a case study from the Fairview Field,eastern Australia

Fluid flow characteristics of cleat systems in coalbed methane reservoirs are crucial in reservoir management and field development plans. This paper aims to evaluate the cleat system properties including cleat porosity, permeability, and aperture as well as the impact of permeability growth on production performance in the Bandanna Coal Formation of the Fairview Field, eastern Queensland. Owing to the presence of bad hole conditions and poor core recovery of the coal intervals, the petrophysical well logs and laboratory measurements cannot be used as a source of information for this purpose. Hence, a new approach is employed that utilises early water production data to measure water in place and absolute permeability of the coal. In addition, micro-computed tomography (CT) scan method is used to investigate the cleat system that is preserved in a core sample and results are compared with the ones obtained by analysis of production data. Cleat system evaluation by analysis of production data and micro-CT scan technique provides a comprehensive approach that brings confidence in measurements and helps to obtain cleat properties at the sufficient scale for reservoir engineering purposes. The necessary information including production data and core samples are collected from a dewatering well and the nearby observation well in the study area. Analysis of early water production data (single-phase flow) indicates that coal permeability is 189 mD and the average cleat porosity is approximately 5%. High cleat porosity describes the large volume of water produced over the life of the study well. The 3D model of the fossilised cleat system constructed by the micro-CT scan method reveals that coal is well-cleated and cleat spacing and mean cleat aperture are 4 and 0.136 mm, respectively. The average cleat porosity that is measured by the micro-CT scan method is 5.7%, which is fairly close to the cleat porosity measured by analysis of production data. Production data analysis indicates that effective permeability to gas starts to grow at the midlife of the well and it strongly controls the shape of the production profile. The results of this study help in future field development and infill drilling programs in the Fairview Field and provide important insights into cleat system of Bandanna Coal Formation.     

有效应力对高煤级煤储层渗透率的控制作用

为了探究有效应力对高煤级煤储层渗透率的控制作用及其应力敏感性的各向异性,对5块高煤级煤样进行了覆压孔渗实验,揭示了有效应力对煤储层渗透率的控制机理。以3.5 MPa模拟原始地层压力发现,煤岩在平行主裂隙和层理面方向具有最高的初始渗透率,垂直层理面方向初始渗透率最低;有效应力从3.5 MPa增加到15.5 MPa的过程中,渗透率呈现出良好的幂函数降低趋势;渗透率伤害/损失的各向异性表明平行主裂隙方向渗透率伤害率和损失率最大,且不同方向应力敏感性受裂隙的宽度及其展布方向的控制;裂隙压缩系数随应力的增加呈现降低趋势,但由于高煤级煤岩压缩难度大,裂隙压缩系数的各向异性不明显。有效应力对渗透率控制的实质为通过减小煤储层孔裂隙体积降低渗透率,从而对各个方向上的渗透率均造成较大的不可逆伤害。      

沁水盆地南部TS地区煤层气储层测井评价方法

煤层气是一种自生自储于煤岩地层的非常规天然气资源,其储层测井评价内容及方法不同于常规天然气,在煤层气勘探开发过程中更关注于有关煤岩工业分析组分、基质孔隙度、裂缝渗透率及煤层含气量等一系列关键的储层参数。针对沁水盆地南部TS地区煤层气勘探目标层,分析了各种测井响应特征,采用回归分析法计算煤岩工业分析组分;针对煤层气含量影响因素众多且较为复杂的特点,结合相关地区煤岩样品实验分析结果,利用基于等温吸附实验的兰氏煤阶方程估算煤层含气量参数;通过煤岩孔隙结构的分析,采用变骨架密度的密度孔隙度计算公式求取煤岩总孔隙度,利用迭代逼近算法计算裂缝孔隙度;根据煤岩裂缝中面割理发育而端割理不甚发育的特点,以简化的单组系板状裂缝模型计算煤岩裂缝渗透率。通过对TS-A井进行实际计算,结果表明,煤岩工业分析组分和煤层含气量计算结果精度高,总孔隙度一般在5.5%左右,而裂缝孔隙度则大多小于0.5%,裂缝渗透率主要分布在0.001×10-3～10×10-3μm2之间,孔渗参数计算结果与相邻井区现有资料相符。采用测井方法可以快速、系统地对煤层气储层多种参数进行准确评价。     

Determination of the cleat angle distribution of the RECOPOL coal seams, using CT-scans and image analysis on drilling cuttings and coal blocks

Cleat orientation, cleat frequency and cleat angle distribution of deep coal seams are only available by the use of drilling cores and from coal mine samples. Coal drilling cuttings are a cheap and fast alternative to measure cleat angle distributions with the use of image analysis techniques. In this study oriented coal samples and drilling cuttings of the RECOPOL field experiment are compared and used to explain and validate the proposed method. In other words, cleat angle distributions from drilling cuttings are measured by image analysis. The geological framework of the polish coals is described. The image analysis methodologies for the measurement of fracture faces of cuttings and from CT-scan images, derived from these coals, are explained. The results of the methods on the cuttings are compared with cleat orientation distributions from CT-scans and artificial fragments from coal blocks of the same seams. These evaluations show high agreements between the methods. The cleat angle distributions of drilling cuttings of four seams are compared with the cleat orientation distributions of a regional structural geological study. The high correlation in this study shows that cleat angle distributions of coal seams can be used as input parameters for reservoir modelling.     

沁水盆地煤层割理的充填特征及形成过程

煤层作为煤层气的源岩和储集层,与常规天然气储层不同在于煤储层是一种双孔隙岩层,由基质孔隙和裂隙组成,且有自身独特的割理系统,基质孔隙和割理的大小、形态、孔隙度和连通性等决定了煤层气的储集、运移和产出,其中以割理系统对煤层气的产出最为重要。本文以沁水煤田为例,对煤层割理、割理填充物类型、充填方式、自生矿物形成时代进行了研究,总结了填充物形成的先后顺序,并根据填充物的形成时代、煤层埋藏史等提出了割理形成的3种机制：埋藏增压机制;岩浆诱发机制;抬升卸压机制。     

Anisotropy of gas permeability associated with cleat pattern in a coal seam of the Kushiro coalfield in Japan

An underground investigation has been performed in a subbituminous coal seam exhibiting a particular cleat pattern in the Kushiro coalfield, Japan. The coal cleat pattern shows some analogy to isolated straight joints, and is believed to have been formed during the late Tertiary period by a compressive tectonic stress, roughly in the east–west direction. Three cylindrical coal specimens representing the three orthogonal axes of the coal seam with respect to the bedding plane and its associated cleat were cored from a large block of coal. Gas permeabilities of the three coal specimens were measured under the same hydrostatic pressure conditions. Results clearly revealed anisotropy in permeability of the coal seam under relatively low confining pressures of less than about 12 MPa. The specimen cored parallel to both the bedding plane and cleat strike showed the highest permeability, even though the cleats were partly filled with calcite and clay minerals. The permeability in this direction was 2.5 times higher than perpendicular to the bedding plane, and 3 times higher than in the direction parallel to the bedding plane but perpendicular to the cleat strike. This suggests that the cleats play a greater role than bedding planes in controlling fluid flow in the coal seam. The permeability in the three orientations, however, converged to the same value at confining pressures above about 16 MPa. This may suggest that both cleats and bedding planes in a coal seam can close due to earth pressure if the coal seam is located below a certain depth. It further indicates that the traditional view that gas permeability is always greater parallel to the coal bedding than perpendicular to it should be reconsidered.     

CO2相变致裂煤的显微构造特征与成因机制

CO₂相变致裂是一种高效增渗、增抽和消突的新型煤矿瓦斯治理技术,应用效果显著。该技术的核心是高压动力载荷作用于煤层的强化造缝及其卸压增渗效应。然而,新生裂缝的形貌特征以及破坏成因机制研究薄弱。目前井下厘米—米级尺度裂缝的观察和描述,主要用于揭示煤层的造缝增透机理。更小尺度的微米级显微裂隙研究,可更系统和全面描述裂缝的形貌和发育规律,揭示CO₂相变致裂作用下煤的破坏机理。应用自行研制的高压CO₂冲击大型物模试验装置系统,对无烟煤试件进行了120 MPa高压CO₂冲击,基于场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)的观察,研究了微米级裂隙特征、发育规律及其形成机理。结果表明：(1)致裂后煤样的割理系统充分沟通,形成多尺度的复杂微裂隙网络。(2)煤基质破碎并发育大量微米尺度的新生显微构造,发现了3种典型显微构造是“损伤坑”“三翼型”裂隙和“页理状构造”。(3) CO₂的超临界相、气相、或者二者的混合相态冲击破碎近喷孔端煤样,冲击波可能是试件远端破坏造缝的主要力学机制。(4)显微构造的形成和损伤演化...     

煤层气储层的显微孔裂隙成因分类及其应用

采用煤岩学方法研究煤储层特性,可直接观察孔裂隙的分布、形态、数量、充填状态等特征,有利于查明显微孔裂隙成因、影响因素及演化规律。将显微孔隙分为生物成因孔和非生物成因孔;显微裂隙划分出内生裂隙、继承性裂隙、层面裂隙和构造裂隙;分别研究了各类显微孔裂隙在煤储层中的分布、随煤化作用的演化规律及其与渗透率的关系,并取得了良好的效果。      

Cleats and their relation to geologic lineaments and coalbed methane potential in Pennsylvanian coals in Indiana

Cleats and fractures in Pennsylvanian coals in southwestern Indiana were described, statistically analyzed, and subsequently interpreted in terms of their origin, relation to geologic lineaments, and significance for coal permeability and coalbed gas generation and storage. These cleats can be interpreted as the result of superimposed endogenic and exogenic processes. Endogenic processes are associated with coalification (i.e., matrix dehydration and shrinkage), while exogenic processes are mainly associated with larger-scale phenomena, such as tectonic stress.At least two distinct generations of cleats were identified on the basis of field reconnaissance and microscopic study: a first generation of cleats that developed early on during coalification and a second generation that cuts through the previous one at an angle that mimics the orientation of the present-day stress field. The observed parallelism between early-formed cleats and mapped lineaments suggests a well-established tectonic control during early cleat formation. Authigenic minerals filling early cleats represent the vestiges of once open hydrologic regimes. The second generation of cleats is characterized by less prominent features (i.e., smaller apertures) with a much less pronounced occurrence of authigenic mineralization. Our findings suggest a multistage development of cleats that resulted from tectonic stress regimes that changed orientation during coalification and basin evolution.The coals studied are characterized by a macrocleat distribution similar to that of well-developed coalbed methane basins (e.g., Black Warrior Basin, Alabama). Scatter plots and regression analyses of meso- and microcleats reveal a power-law distribution between spacing and cleat aperture. The same distribution was observed for fractures at microscopic scale. Our observations suggest that microcleats enhance permeability by providing additional paths for migration of gas out of the coal matrix, in addition to providing access for methanogenic bacteria.The abundance, distribution, and orientation of cleats control coal fabric and are crucial features in all stages of coalbed gas operations (i.e., exploration and production). Understanding coal fabric is important for coal gas exploration as it may be related to groundwater migration and the occurrence of methanogenic bacteria, prerequisite to biogenic gas accumulations. Likewise, the distribution of cleats in coal also determines pathways for migration and accumulation of thermogenic gas generated during coalification.     

有效应力对保德区块煤储层渗透率影响研究

通过有效应力单因素影响保德区块煤岩气体渗流实验,分析了煤岩渗透率应力敏感性以及割理压缩系数变化特征.结果表明:保德区块煤储层渗透率与有效应力呈负指数函数关系;煤层埋深越深,煤岩渗透率变化幅度越小,渗透率应力敏感性下降。渗透率损害系数的线性函数拟合相关系数较低,应力敏感系数的负指数函数拟合相关系数较高,应力敏感系数比渗透率损害系数更具规律性。在高有效应力阶段,煤岩割理压缩系数更趋近于常数,低有效应力阶段,割理压缩系数应视为变量。     

华北地区煤层气井压裂裂缝监测及其扩展规律

介绍了井温测试法、放射性同位素法、大地电位测试法和微地震测试法监测煤层水力压裂裂缝的基本原理。使用上述4种方法对华北地区施工的煤层气井压裂裂缝进行测量,得到了大量压裂井的裂缝方位和高度的监测数据。通过统计分析发现:压裂后的煤层裂缝一般都穿越其上下隔层,最大裂缝高度是压裂层厚度的6倍,裂缝长度大部分为50~90 m,裂缝形状基本以垂直裂缝为主,裂缝方向存在着随机性,扩展方向受地应力、局部地层构造和煤层割理共同作用。      

考虑渗透率变化的煤层气储层数值模拟及参数敏感性研究

煤层气开采过程中储层渗透率的变化对产气量影响较大,通过引入S＆D渗透率变化模型,建立了考虑渗透率变化的煤储层三维气水两相渗流数学模型,完成模型检验后应用所编制软件研究了煤储层参数、吸附参数及渗透率模型特征参数对开发效果的影响。结果表明,煤层气产量随着初始含气量、煤层有效厚度、裂缝渗透率和Langmuir压力的增大而增大,随储层原始压力、裂缝孔隙度和Langmuir体积的增大而减小,而解吸时间对产气量影响不大;裂缝渗透率随着杨氏模量和基质收缩/膨胀系数的增大而增大,随泊松比和裂缝压缩系数的增大而减小。引入S＆D模型后计算的累积产气量要比常规模型低1.3%,因此不可忽视煤层气产出过程中渗透率的变化。     

Statistical analysis of the microlithotype sequences in the Bulli Seam, Australia, and relevance to permeability for coal gas

Sequential microlithotype analyses through the Permian Bulli Coal, Sydney Basin, Australia, enable determination of the abundance, locations and thicknesses of various microlithotypes in the seam. Statistical analyses allow prediction of these parameters. Microlithotype analyses may be used as a means of predicting seam permeability in relation to coal gas drainage, if used in conjunction with reported correlation between coal type and seam reservoir properties.A combination of sequential microlithotype analyses and statistical modelling provide data on the number, location and thicknesses of individual bands of vitrite, vitrinertite, inertite and mineral-rich coal. A Markov chain describes both the order and thickness of the bands in the seam. Local ordering of microlithotypes is similar, irrespective of vertical orientation, which suggests that analyses and predictions may be possible using representative, randomly oriented samples. Statistical modelling can be used to characterise the seam using a small number of parameters. These include the elements of the transition probability matrix of the Markov chain, from which many seam properties such as maximum band thickness, thickness distribution of bands and spacing of thick bands can be predicted.The permeability of vitrite-rich coal in the seam is 30 mD and it is 2.3 mD for inertite-rich coal. In general, for the Bulli seam, vitrite-rich plies are expected to provide better flow paths for coal gas than inertite-rich plies, because of the abundance of cleat systems in vitrite. Using this information, it thus may be possible to predict gas and water flow paths in a seam from microlithotype analyses, thereby leading to the development of a rapid method for assessing the comparative permeabilities of coal plies.     

单孔增透率算法的提出及其工程应用

低透煤层增透效果的定量描述和评价一直处于盲目状态,使得煤矿瓦斯治理中致裂措施、瓦斯抽采不能因地制宜。增透率可反映采动或人工增透措施对煤岩体渗透特性的改变,并可定量评价煤层增透效果,其分布和演化规律可精准圈定瓦斯富集区域,指导瓦斯抽采钻孔的合理布置。在简化钻孔和裂隙模型基础上,求解了采动条件下钻孔的体积应变,提出了针对单孔的增透率计算方法;依托同煤矿塔山矿8212采面,开展现场裂隙探测试验,研究了工作面前方采动裂隙网络发育演化及卸压增透变化规律,并分析了单孔增透率随回采面推进的演化特征。结果表明：裂隙网络呈现“从无到有、从短变长、从窄变宽、不断贯通”的趋势,煤岩体单孔增透率随回采面推进呈现先逐渐上升后保持平稳的趋势,该成果有望直接优化煤矿现场瓦斯抽采孔的布置设计。     

页岩储层裂隙渗透率模型和试验研究

页岩储层的裂隙渗透率是评价页岩气开采的重要参数,基于裂隙法向刚度的概念,考虑页岩储层变形过程中裂隙系统和基质系统之间的相互作用以及页岩气解吸引起的体应变,提出了与有效应力相关的页岩储层的渗透率模型。然后分别分析了页岩气藏在单轴应变和常体积条件下的渗透率模型,分析表明,单轴应变和常体积条件下（3个方向的总应变都为0）的裂隙渗透率模型完全一致。采用脉冲衰减渗透率仪测试了煤系页岩的裂隙渗透率,当有效应力从0.7 MPa增加到14.5 MPa时,渗透率从41.81×10-17 m2降到5.43×10-17 m2。为了阐述渗透率模型的有效性,利用煤系页岩的渗透率数据对有效应力-渗透率模型进行拟合。结果表明,当裂隙的法向刚度、张开度和煤系页岩的初始渗透率分别为57 922.5 MPa/m、0.000 17 m和50.15×10-17 m2时,有效应力-渗透率模型和煤系页岩的渗透率拟合程度较好。然后利用现场渗透率数据对该模型进行拟合,结果表明,当裂隙的法向刚度和张开度的关系符合反比例函数时,拟合程度非常好。该渗透率模型适合于单轴应变、常体积和常围压条件,可用于描述页岩气开采过程中页岩储层裂隙渗透率随孔隙压力的变化规律。同时,该渗透率模型和P&M模型以及S&D模型进行了比较,结果表明,该渗透率模型的拟合结果与S&D模型基本一致,但与P&M模型存在一定的差别。     

不同温度下孔隙压力对煤岩渗流特性的影响机制

在深部煤层瓦斯抽采过程中,地温较高且孔隙压力逐渐降低,而目前综合考虑温度和孔隙压力对煤岩渗透特性耦合作用的研究较少.利用自主研发的出口端压力可调的三轴渗流装置,以贵州矿区原煤试件为研究对象,进行不同温度下改变孔隙压力的渗流试验,并建立了考虑温度的渗透率匹配模型.研究表明,煤岩渗透率随孔隙压力增大按指数函数减小;煤岩渗透率随压差的增大而减小,随温度的升高而降低,在不同的温度状态下,渗透率的下降速率和变化幅度有所不同.在模拟瓦斯开发的物理试验中,压差应尽量小,减少其误差,为建立不同边界条件的渗透率模型提供帮助;随温度的升高,温度突变系数呈增大的趋势;随孔隙压力的增大,温度突变系数呈减小的趋势.温度突变系数在整个阶段不为常数,且割理压缩系数可变,这两个特征更能真实地匹配模型,反映瓦斯的开发过程.      

Relative permeability of CBM reservoirs: Controls on curve shape

Relative permeability to gas and water for 2-phase flow coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs has long been known to exhibit a strong control on (gas and water) production profile characteristics. Despite its important control on both primary and enhanced recovery of CBM for coal seams that have not been fully dewatered, relative permeability in coal has received little attention in the literature in the past decade. There are few published laboratory-derived curves; these studies and their resulting data represent a small subset of the commercial CBM reservoirs and do not allow for a systematic investigation of the physical controls on relative permeability curve shape. Other methods for estimation of relative permeability curves include derivation from simulation history-matching, and production data analysis. Both of these methods will yield pseudo-relative permeability curves whose shapes could be affected by several dynamic CBM reservoir and operating characteristics.The purpose of the current work is to perform a systematic investigation of the controls on CBM relative permeability curve shape, including non-static fracture permeability and porosity, multi-layer effects and transient flow. To derive the relative permeability curves, effective permeability to gas and water are obtained from flow equations, flow rates and pressure data. Simulated cases are analyzed so that derived and input curves may be compared allowing for investigation of CBM reservoir properties on curve shape. One set of relative permeability curves that were input into the simulator were obtained from pore-scale modeling. Field cases from two basins are also examined and controls on derived relative permeability curve shape inferred. The results of this work should be useful for future CBM development and greenhouse gas sequestration studies, and it is hoped that it will spark additional research of this critical CBM flow property.