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Abstract

Pashin, J. C., M. R. McIntyre, R. E. Carroll, R. H. Groshong Jr., and R. M. Bustin, 2009, Carbon sequestration and enhanced recovery potential of mature coalbed methane reservoirs in the Black Warrior Basin, in M. Grobe, J. C. Pashin, and R. L. Dodge, eds., Carbon dioxide sequestration in geological media—State of the science: AAPG Studies in Geology 59, p. 125147.

DOI:10.1306/13171237St592825

Copyright copy2009 by The American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

Carbon Sequestration and Enhanced Recovery Potential of Mature Coalbed Methane Reservoirs in the Black Warrior Basin

Jack C. Pashin,1 Marcella R. McIntyre,2 Richard E. Carroll,3 Richard H. Groshong Jr.,4 R. Marc Bustin5

1Geological Survey of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.A.
2Geological Survey of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.A.
3Geological Survey of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.A.
4Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.A.
5Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This report is based on research project that was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under award DE-FC26-00NT40927. However, any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the DOE. Jim Walter Resources, Inc., and El Paso Production, Inc., donated core samples for this study. Isotherm analyses were performed by Marc Bustin of the University of British Columbia, and proximate and ultimate analyses were performed by Alabama Power Company.

ABSTRACT

Mature coalbed methane reservoirs are prospective as major sinks for anthropogenic CO2, and injection of CO2 shows promise for increasing coalbed methane reserves through enhanced recovery. Assessment of the carbon sequestration and enhanced recovery potential of coal in the Black Warrior basin indicates that numerous geological variables, including stratigraphy, structure, hydrology, geothermics, and coal quality, have a strong impact on the quantity of carbon that can be sequestered. Key variables affecting the feasibility of sequestration and enhanced recovery in the Black Warrior basin include (1) the distribution of mineable coal, (2) the distribution of formation water saline enough for underground injection, and (3) the distribution of structural compartments with sufficient reservoir continuity to host multiple five-spot well patterns. Within the developed coalbed methane fields, the feasible CO2 sequestration potential is estimated to be 166 Bscm (5.9 Tscf), or 341 MMt, which can facilitate long-term sequestration of CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants. The potential for enhanced coalbed methane recovery in this area is estimated to be between 16 and 30 Bscm (0.6 and 1.1 Tscf), and realization of this potential would expand proven coalbed methane reserves by more than 30%.

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