SCOPE OF COAL BED METHANE DRAINAGE IN INDIA

7th International Scientific Conference - SGEM2007, www.sgem.org, SGEM2007 Conference Proceedings/ ISBN: 954-918181-2, June 11-15, 2007

ABSTRACT

The effectiveness of methane drainage lies in the implementation of a process
to siphon methane gas (from the ground) to create a source for fueling electric
power generation. This process can be seen on the principle of BAT (“Best
Available Technology”). Applied BAT when combined within an effective and
efficient Environmental Management System results in benefit to both the
environment and profitability. In India too, methane in recent time has been
accepted as a gas fuel of future. Although lagging behind in the race, India has
considerable potential for coal bed methane drainage. It is expected that the
consumption of gas in India is going to contribute about 20% of total energy
consumption in the coming next 20-25 years.
The awareness of Methane drainage came to India in Nineties after Economic
Liberalization Policy in India which attracted several international and national
companies to undertake initiatives for exploration of Coal bed methane. As per
a rough estimate, coal bed methane availability in India is about 850 billion m3.
Coal bed methane drainage will not only meet our energy demand but at the
same time damage to the environment specially in the form of Global warming
due to emission of methane gas will also be reduced.