Accumulation models for coalbed methane in medium- to high-rank coals: examples from the southern Qinshui Basin and southeastern Ordos Basin

The majority of known coalbed methane (CBM) production worldwide comes primarily from high-abundance CBM-enrichment areas or ‘fairways.’ The high-abundance CBM-enrichment areas are primarily characterised by large CBM resources with high single-well productions. CBM accumulation areas from the medium- to high-rank coals in the southern Qinshui Basin and the Hancheng CBM fields in the Ordos Basin were investigated based on regional geological analyses and physical analogue experiments. The results show that gas contents in the study areas increase with depths over the range from approximately 300 to 800 m, while permeabilities generally decrease with depths. Intervals with optimal gas content and permeability exist at a moderate depth along an inclined coal seam under the coupled control of temperature and stress. Brittle–ductile transition deformation increases the permeability and the pore-specific surface areas of coals. The gas content and permeability of the CBM reservoirs are shown to be two key factors determining the formation of high-abundance CBM areas. The coupling of gas enrichment and high permeability provides a favourable combination for CBM accumulation and high production. Combining CBM exploration and development practices in the study areas with physical analogue experiments, two CBM-enrichment models for medium- to high-rank coal have been recognised for different geological conditions, including (1) the model controlled by the depth in the slope zone and (2) the model controlled by the coal brittle and ductile in the deformation zones.