The Effect of Permeability towards Coalbed Methane (CBM) Production

Coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs have generated large and unerring interest in the last 20 years or so due to its potential as one of the most efficient unconventional source of energy. Hydrocarbon reservoirs are known to react to changes in their properties, particularly permeability. Therefore, it is important to study the effect of permeability changes towards primary production of CBM. The production rates of two CBM fields outside Malaysia and one coal field from Sarawak will be simulated and analysed, with permeability being the manipulated variable. Simulation will be performed using the ECLIPSE E100 model, with several assumptions made. The corresponding results will then be analysed. From the result, it is clear to see that permeability enhances the production of methane gas from CBM fields. An increase in permeability leads to higher production rates and a prolonged maximum production time. High reservoir pressure, Langmuir pressure, and permeability are favourable for CBM production