Predicted CO2 enhanced coalbed methane recovery and CO2 sequestration in China

The injection of CO2 in coal beds can enhance the recovery of coalbed methane (ECBM) and at the same time it is a very attractive option for geologic CO2 storage as CO2 is strongly absorbed onto the coal. Some factors affecting the primary production of CBM and ECBM recovery and CO2 sequestration in China have been studied, and CBM recovery quantity with primary production, the CO2 sequestration capacity of coal beds, and the ECBM recovery potential have been investigated in 29 CBM zones in China. The results show that the primary CBM and ECBM recovery potential are estimated to be over 3.357 and 3.751 Tm3, which equals 218 years at China's 2002 production rate. The prediction also indicate that CO2 sequestration potential is about 142.67 Gt in China's coal bed, which could sequester CO2 emissions for almost 50 years based on China's CO2 emissions levels in 2000.