Field Operations in Coalbed

Methane Reservoirs
„ Field Preparation
„ Drilling Coalbed Methane Well
„ Wireline Logging Applications in Coalbed Methane
Wells
„ Well Completion Strategies in Coalbed Methane Wells
„ Stimulating the Coalbed Methane Wells
„ Production Practices

August 9, 2009 | ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung |

 FIELD PREPARATION
Some of the more important and critical decisions on a coalbed methane project are to be made
in advance and they are related to field preparation. While some of these decisions are geared
towards the environmental and safety aspects of the undertaking, they will play an important role
on the economic success of the project.

(1) ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

Protection of the wetland areas
construction of pipelines, roads, and drilling pads
Disposal of the produced water
Maximum volume of water to be encountered
Chemical composition of water
Presence/absence of waterways for discharge
Being in compliance with discharge guidelines
Presence of other similar disposal activities into the same waterway
Surface reclamation for erosion control
Implement all of the engineering and environmental safety factors
in road construction
Developing drilling locations
Keep the size of the drilling pad as small as possible
Minimize all slopes and use appropriate erosion control techniques
Try to stay away as much as possible from a nearby waterbody
Plan for stormwater runoff
Line drilling pits polyethylene or other non-permeable materia
Do not allow liquid level in the pits to rise within two feet of the pit leveesl
August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung
 Siting and Constructing pipelines
Apply the proper erosion and sedimentation control techniques
Site gathering lines along road rights-of-way
Minimize stream crossings
Minimize pipeline grades whenever possible
Stay away from areas of highly erodible soils and wetlands
Minimize pipeline surface disturbance
Preventing Spills
Plan and carefully locate potential oil spill sources such as compressor stations
Protecting Historical Sites
Conduct an historical and cultural resource assessment ahead of time

(2) SAFETY AND OPERATING GUIDELINES

Pre-planning
Learn all applicable local and federal environmental and safety regulations
Before beginning site development carefully review development plans with
local authorities and landowners and residents
Clearing Timber
Obtain permits and authorizations from local authorities and landowners
before clearing any timber
Consider contracting a timber company to cut and purchase the timber

August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung

 Contsructing access roads
Place gravel or similar materialon roadbeds to ensure a stable surface
Construct road along ridge tops when practical
Avoid designing roads with sharp curves and blind spots or steep grades
Use approved caution signs

Developing well sites

Develop the well site at least several months in advance of drilling
Develop well sites during dry seasons to minimize erosion and cost
In designing the well site have enough space not only to accommodate
drilling rig but the fracturing equipment as well
Locate production equipment around the perimeter of the site to create
an open work area near the wellhead
Locate production equipment near main gas and water collection lines to
avoid digging up the well pad area for repairs

August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung

DRILLING A COALBED METHANE WELL
STEP 1: Collecting Information
---mainly from offset coalbed methane operators and from local and state regulatory
Agencies—

Formation depth, pressure and production

Type of cola and non-coal formations
Well logs
Rig type and drilling assembly
Drilling fluid specifications
Casing specifications
Potential drilling problems and procedures for eliminating problems
Stimulation and completion methods
Equipment cost and availability

STEP 2: Evaluating formations

---reviewing available well logs and drilling reports

Zones where lost circulation problems can be encountered

Sloughing shales
Overpressured zones
Water disposal zones
Fresh water aquifers
August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung
STEP 3: Deciding casing setting depth
---reviewing available well logs and drilling reports

Existing fracture gradients of coal seams

Local and state regulatory agency requirements
Drilling problems
Isolation of coals seams in multi-layer systems
Fracture gradients for coal seams
typically vary between:

0.5 psi/ft to over 1.0 psi/ft

August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung

 STEP 4: Selecting hole size
---consider the following factors

Production rates
Possible applications of artificial lift to remove water
Tubing size
Completion method (to ensure that hole size is sufficient to accommodate perforation guns,
slotting tools, underreamers)
Potential stimulation treatments
removing drilling cuttings (air drilled or air-mist drilled holes)

STEP 5: Selecting casing weight and grade

---consider the following factors

Burst pressure
Collapse pressure
Tensile load

August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung

STEP 6: Selecting a drilling technique
---review the geologic and reservoir conditions of the coal basin

Air drilling
Eliminates possible filtration damage
Reduces loss circulation problems
Provides straighter holes because of less weight-on-bit
Lower cost because no mud is used
Faster drilling rate is achieved
-----------------------------
Unable to effectively lift large volumes of water
Degradation of bit gauge
Sandblasting effects on the drillpipe
Finding the right volume air compressors

STEP 7: Selecting the drillbit and drill string

STEP 8: Designing the cementing program

STEP 9: Selecting the drilling rig and drilling equipment

August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung

August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung
August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung
 WELL LOGGING APPLICATIONS IN COALBED METHANE WELLS

Sources for Estimating Coal Reservoir Properties

Non-wireline Logging Resources Wireline Logging Resources

Reservoir Source Reservoir Property Open Hole Log Cased Hole

Property Log
Coal thickness Core test Coal identification Density, gamma Neutron
ray, caliper
Permeability Well test
Net thickness High resolution neutron
Adsorbed gas Core test density
content
Proximate Analysis High resolution none
Desorption Core test density, gamma
isotherm ray, sonic
Desorption time Core test Permeability Dual none
(qualitative estimate) laterolog,microlog,
Initial Water Well test
resistivity/SP
saturation
Cleat orientation Formation micro none
Porosity Core test
scanner
Ash content Core test Mechanical Bulk density, full none
Initial pressure Well test properties waveform sonic
August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung
 WELL LOGGING

MATRIX DENSITIES
FOR COMMON FORMATIONS
MATERIAL DENSITY (gm/cc)

Sandstone 2.65 – 2.70

Shale 2.20 - 2.65

Limestone 2.71

Dolomite 2.83 – 2.89

Anhydrite 2.94 – 3.00

Salt (halite) 2.03

Coal
Anthracite 1.4 - 1.8
Bituminous 1.2 – 15
Lignite 0.7 – 1.5
August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung
 WELL LOGGING

Downhole Camera Surveys

•The downhole camera is a specially designed video camera that allows viewing of actual
conditions in the wellbore.

•Because the resolution of downhole camera has improved greatly in recent years, the
camera has become an effective tool in diagnosing downhole production problems in
coalbed methane wells including the cavity completed wells.

•It has also helped in evaluating the location and orientation of fractures in open holes.

•Specifically, one can use downhole cameras in:

(1) In determining whether perforations are open or plugged with fines or scales
(2) Determining qualitatively which zones are contributing flow and the amount
of flow
(3) Determining the type of influx along vertical coal cleats or in bedding planes
(4) Evaluating the condition of casing
(5) Inspecting the location and position of a fish left while drilling or working
over the well

August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung

WELL COMPLETION STRATEGIES IN COALBED METHANE WELLS

Objectives of Completing the Well:

(1) Provide effective communication between the wellbore and the natural fractures and cleat system
of the coal
(2) Provide for control over stimulation operations
(3) Minimize completion cost
(4) Minimize wellbore damage and maximize well productivity
(5) Hole enlargement (notching)
(6) Hydraulic fracturing

August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung

 STIMULATING THE COALBED METHANE WELLS
Information needed for designing a
fracture treatment
Thickness of the coal ttttttttttttttt
Permeability of the coal tttttttttttttt
Temperature of the coaltttttttttttttt
Mechanical properties of the coaltttttttttt
Mechanical properties of the adjacent formations tt
Fracturing fluid leak offttttttttttttttt
Fracture gradient of the coaltttttttttttt
Fracture length and height ttttttttttttt
Location, number and size of perforationstttttt
Mechanical configuration of the wellbore tttttt
Fracturing fluids tttttttttttttttttt
Fracturing fluid additives tttttttttttttt
Fracturing proppants tttttttttttttttt
Pumping schedule ttttttttttttttttt
August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung
number and type of perforations economics of frac design
fluid leakoff
degradation of fracturing fluid
fracture propagation calculations
containment of fracture within the coal
fracturing fluid efficiency
bottomhole and surface treatment pressures
optimal performance of a fracture
fluid displacement volumes, injection rates
maximum pumping rate, single or multiple fracturing zones
initiation and extension of the fracture,transporting proppant
integrity of the fracing fluid
mechanical support to hold the fracture open
type and size of fracture treatment
FRACTURING FLUIDS

Selecting proper fracturing fluids is critical to a successful fracturing treatment. These fluids
help initiate the fracture in the formation, extend the fracture once it opens, and transport
the proppant into the fracture. To select the best fracturing fluid one should consider the
following factors:

•Fluid viscosity
•Formation properties
•Frictional pressure
•Fluid loss properties
•Economics

Types of fracturing fluids:

In coal reservoirs typically water-based fracturing fluids are used:

•Nongelled water
•Linear gel
•Crosslinked gel
•Foam

August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung

 ADVANTAGES OF FOAM FLUIDS

Foam fluids are created by dispersing gas, usually nitrogen, in a liquid. To initiate the dispersion,
a surfactant is normally used as a foaming agent.

•Low liquid content of foam results in a lower hydrostatic head, which enhances well cleanup
•Excellent fluid loss control eliminates the need for fluid loss additives, which reduces
impairment of fracture conductivity
•Excellent capability to support proppants, which results in more uniform distribution of
proppant throughout the fracture
•Energy from the gas in the foam helps to recover treating fluids from the reservoir
•Formations that have been de-watered can be treated without fear of resaturating the formation

August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung

 PRODUCTION PRACTICES

Items that need to be considered:

(1) Estimating the volume of water to be produced
Use the available information collected during drilling exploratory wells or development wells
After completing the well observe the volume of water that is cleaned from the wellbore
Obtain and exchange data from the other producers in the area
Perform some transient tests to determine the permeability of the coal seam
(2) Deciding on the pumping equipment
To maximize gas production from a coalbed methane well, one must ensure that the water level
in the wellbore is kept below the lowest producing coalbed. Most common pumps that are used
to pump the water out are:
Beam pumps
Progressing cavity pumps
Gas lift
Electric submersible pumps
(3) Power supply for pumping equipment
There are two choices:
Natural gas power
advanatges: lower initial cost, can use natural gas produced on location
disadvantages: higher maintenance, susceptible to vandalism and theft
Electric power
advantages: more reliable power supply, lower maintenance, no air pollution
disadvantages: higher initial cost, requires access rights-of-way for power lines
(4) Surface production facilities
(5) August 9, 2009
Gas compressors ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung
 GAS-LIFT INSTALLATION FOR COALBED METHANE WELLS

August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung

TREATING AND DISPOSING PRODUCED WATER

Managing produced water is critical to the successful development of a coalbed methane

project. Careful design of an effective water disposal system is key to the success of a coalbed
methane project.
Characteristics of coalbed methane produced water
•In a coalbed methane well flow of gas may start from a few days to months after dewatering
has begun.
•Within the first month of a well’s life, water production usually decreases by as much as 70% to
90% of initial flow rate before stabilizing to a slow decline.
•The quality of water produced from coalbed reservoirs varies widely from region to region. In
some areas, the quality of the produced water is comparable to that of drinking water.
•The principle constituent influencing the quality of coalbed methane waters is the concentration
of total dissolve solids.
•Precipitation and crystallization of minerals from produced water form scale in the wellbore.
•Similar scale problems can take place in the formation matrix, fractures as well.

Considerations for designing a water disposal system

•Production start-up schedule

•Water flow rates from each well
•Variations in flow rates over the life of the project
•Water quality
•Assimilative capacity of the discharge stream or river
August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung
A TYPICAL ON-SURFACE WATER DISPOSAL SYSTEM

August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung

A TYPICAL COALBED METHANE PRODUCTION PROFILE

August 9, 2009 ©2007 Institut Teknologi Bandung