Coalbed Methane (CBM)
Coalbed methane is an important prospective source of natural gas production in Canada, especially considering the country's large coal resources. CBM could offer consumers a clean fuel alternative and help reduce greenhouse gases.
Factors driving research on CBM include:
- a mature and growing coal resource
- increased demand for gas in North America
- high production rates from successful CBM projects in the United States
- estimated large amounts of CBM resources and early CBM success in Canada
- improved pipeline capacity and improved commercial viability
Many Canadian organizations are extensively researching CBM. One research project consists of testing a unique process called Enhanced Coalbed Methane Recovery (ECBMR) where CO2 is injected into Alberta's deep coalbeds as a method of sequestering the CO2 and releasing the trapped methane. This process is similar to the practice of using CO2 to enhance production from oil reservoirs.
