However, specialized completion techniques, magnetic surveys, and remote sensing methods in addition to well data to locate basement structures with associated tectonic fracturing may make deeper resources more accessible. Accompanying the rapid growth of CBM activity in the Rockies are a variety of environmental, permitting, and other issues not encountered in conventional oil and gas operations. Problems are related to the ownership of gas versus associated coal resources, and the large-scale, cumulative impact of multiple and sizable CBM projects in areas where oil and gas operations have not yet been implemented. Despite these challenges, the future looks bright for CBM in the region. There are ample reserves to pursue in a number of basins.
Operators understand that access to adsorbed methane is through fracture systems.
On a fundamental level, gas and water move through the natural cleats that form during the coalification process. Production of water reduces reservoir pressure and allows additional gas to desorb into the fluid filling the fractures and move to the wellbores. Regional studies of coal depositional geology and structural regime are necessary to locate optimum reservoir quality. With its rapid growth in areas previously unaffected by oil and gas activities and with its unique relationship to coals, a resource whose ownership has already been assigned in many areas CBM activity has raised a number of issues relating to the environment, permitting, and ownership. The petroleum industry has resolved many of these issues and, fortunately, is well on the way to address some of the thorny issues that remain.