Production Potential of Coalbed Methane (CBM) in IRAN

Iran, as the world's second largest reserves of conventional natural gas, has been given less attention regarding the development of unconventional gas reservoirs. Due to increase in energy demand and concentration of conventional gas reservoirs in south and north-east of the country, it may be an economically viable option to produce gas from unconventional resources such as coalbed methane (CBM). Iran’s CBM reservoirs, as a matter of distribution and quantity, are located in areas where other hydrocarbons may not be found. Therefore, they can be considered as the country's strategic reserves. The purpose of this study is to evaluate gas production potential from Iran's CBM reservoirs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which ever considers contribution of CBM as an energy support in the country. The paper reviews important processes which are involved in gas production from CBM reservoirs. Then, geologically coal bearing zones in the country are introduced. Using a commercial reservoir simulator, the production potential of a representative single-well reservoir model is presented. In addition, sensitivity studies are done to identify key parameters which affect gas production from such reservoirs. The results show significant potential of CBM in Iran.