Microbial Methane Potential for the South Sumatra Basin Coal: Formation Water Screening and Coal Substrate Bioavailability

Formation water samples collected from five South Sumatra Basin (SSB) coal bed methane (CBM) wells were investigated for the presence of active microbial communities capable of converting coal to methane using culture enrichment studies and molecular phylogenetics techniques. All water samples contained communities capable of methanogenesis using both acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic pathways. In addition, viable coals to methane communities were detected in four of the water samples. Molecular analysis further confirmed the presence of active microbial methanogen consortia in the tested water samples. Taken together these results highlight the potential of SSB coals to be developed as real time methane bioreactors that may contribute to Indonesia's future energy supply.