Methane is a potent Green House Gas (GHG) having nearly 28 times greater global warming potential than CO2, however it has relatively short atmospheric life span of 12 years. Methane mitigation measures can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Coal Bed Methane (CBM) is a naturally occurring gas found in coal seams typically comprising mostly methane (CH4) with lower proportions of ethane, propane, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. It is generated during the process of coalification and adsorbed into the solid matrix of the coal.
Methane is highly flammable and explosive when its concentrations reach between 5 and 15 percent in air, therefore it is also termed as Miner’s Curse causing several mine explosions/accidents. Harnessing Methane from Coal seams provide an excellent opportunity to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) Emissions, Mine safety as well as ensuring Energy Security.
Core Functions:
- CBM specific data generation:
Clean Energy Department of CMPDI has taken several initiatives for development of Coal Bed Methane. The department is generating CBM specific data under Promotional/Regional/Detailed Exploration Programme funded by Ministry of Coal (MoC) since Tenth Five Year Plan and creating CBM Data Bank for assessment of CBM potentiality in the coal basins of India.
- Principal Implementing Agency (PIA) for CIL subsidiaries:
Clean Energy Department is also Principal Implementing Agency (PIA) for Development of CBM Projects in CIL Subsidiaries i.e. BCCL, ECL and SECL. Jharia CBM Block-I (under BCCL Leasehold) has been delineated by CMPDI and successfully awarded to CBM Developer for commercial exploitation of CBM. Presently, Jharia CBM Block-I is under Exploration Phase.
- Laboratory Studies for Coal Bed Methane and Shale Gas specific studies:
Clean Energy Department has a state-of-the-art Laboratory to provide services for CBM and Shale Gas specific analyses. These services include Gas Desorption Tests, Adsorption Isotherm Tests, Gas Composition Analysis, Rock Eval Pyrolysis, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Helium Porosity & Permeability Tests, Mine Air Sample Analysis etc.
- Outside consultancy:
The department provides consultancy services related to CBM development including CBM specific Data generation, Coal Characterization Studies, Gas Initially in-Place (GIIP) assessment, Reservoir Simulation and Feasibility Studies. The vast Coal Exploration related Data Bank of CMPDI enables us to provide authentic, reliable and expeditious services to meeting our customer’s/client’s requirements.
Clean Energy Department had prepared data dossiers for CBM Blocks auctioned in various CBM bid rounds by Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH).
- International Collaborations:>
Clean Energy Department on behalf of CMPDI works in co-ordination with Global Methane Initiative (GMI) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for Methane Abatement, Mitigation, Recovery and Utilization to reduce Green House Gas Emissions and promoting sustainable Mining Practices.
India CBM/CMM Clearing House was established at CMPDI HQ, Ranchi in 2008 in pursuance to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ministry of Coal (MoC) and USEPA in 2006.