In a significant development for China’s energy landscape, a substantial deep coalbed gas field with reserves exceeding 100 billion cubic meters has been confirmed in the Erdos Basin’s Sanjiao North Block, located in Shanxi’s Lvliang region. This major discovery marks a crucial advancement in the exploration and development of deep coalbed methane in the country, bolstering national energy security.
A New Era for Deep Coalbed Methane
The Sanjiao North Block, situated in the eastern part of the Erdos Basin, boasts a contiguous gas-bearing area of 411.5 square kilometers. The coal seams here are found at depths ranging from 1900 to 2150 meters, classifying it as a typical deep coalbed methane deposit. According to Zhang Lei, Deputy Chief Geologist at PetroChina Coalbed Methane Company, the cumulative officially proven reserves of deep coalbed methane in the Erdos Basin have now surpassed 400 billion cubic meters.
For context, deep coalbed methane refers to natural gas stored in coal seams buried deeper than 1500 meters. It is categorized as unconventional natural gas. Compared to conventional natural gas, deep coalbed methane presents greater challenges due to its profound burial depth and complex geological conditions, requiring advanced extraction technologies.
Significant Production Potential
This newly confirmed, contiguous reserve of over 100 billion cubic meters is not just a geological triumph; it provides a solid foundation for establishing an annual production capacity of 1.8 billion cubic meters. This substantial potential highlights the commercial viability and strategic importance of this discovery.
Future Outlook for China’s Gas Supply
Looking ahead, China’s cumulative proven geological reserves of deep coalbed methane are projected to exceed 1 trillion cubic meters by the end of 2025. Experts anticipate that by 2035, the annual output of deep coalbed methane in China could reach between 40 billion and 50 billion cubic meters. This substantial contribution is expected to position deep coalbed methane as a key resource for increasing natural gas production, following in the footsteps of tight gas and shale gas.
This discovery underscores China’s ongoing efforts to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels, while simultaneously harnessing its abundant domestic resources to ensure a stable and secure energy future.
