Indicators for the Evaluation of Coalbed Methane (CBM) Potential in Labuan, Sabah

Foremost, coal is a black or brownish-black sedimentary rock composed primarily of carbon
and hydrogen along with small quantities of other elements such as sulphur. The coal used for
analysis is collected from Labuan area. Coalbed methane (CBM) is one of the alternatives to
extract the natural gas from the coal solid matrix. The petroleum consumed per annum is
rapidly increasing now but the global production of petroleum is reducing. If this continues, all
petroleum will be exhausted soon. Therefore, alternative energy sources must be found to
replace the impending worldwide petroleum exhaustion. Basically, the project is based on core
analysis sample which is from the field in Labuan Area. The outcomes of the analysis will be an
indicator for the advanced exploration and development of the coal bed methane reservoir in
the future. The coal distribution in Malaysia (Labuan Area) is basically in shallow depth. This
coal resource within Labuan region is around the Lubuk Temiang Formation. There are several
techniques that involve in the coal core sample analysis. Most common technique is a
laboratory test. After the laboratory experiments carry out, the relation between physical and
chemical properties of coal with gas content in coal is analyze and discuss. Research must be
conducted in order to understand the title and procedures of conducting the experiments
testing for different characteristic or properties of coal. The methodology of the laboratory
experiments will be initiated by preparation of laboratory sample. The entire test will be based
on cleat analysis, density of the coal and also type of the coal. There are three types of
equipments that required doing the entire test on core sample which are POROPERM Machine,
OYO Ultrasonic Wave Test Machine and Point Load Test Machine. The whole test will be
conducted throughout one semester of study. The outcomes of the test and experiment will be
discussed with the supervisor and marked as an indicator for Coalbed Metane potential. The
project planning will be a guiding for the further research in the analyzing the coal sample.