Coal Bed Methane Potentiality - Case Studies from Umaria, Korba and Ib-Valley Coals, Son-Mahanadi Basin

The Coal Bed Methane (CBM), a dreadful mining hazard, became eco-friendly clean gas for the third world country when humanity is facing challenges against pollution and energy crisis. It is observed from the studies that the Korba and Ib valley coals have potential for CBM exploration whereas Umaria coals have negligible potential. Though, the Sohagpur coalfields (east of Umaria coalfield) have ample scope of CBM exploration. In the absence of enough desorption data on gas content, the in situ gas content has been determined here following the theoretical interpretation of adsorption curve, taking into account of the moisture, ash, volatile matter, fixed carbon, depth of coal bed and the geothermal gradient. Data generation on gas content, gas saturation and gas sorption characteristics is vital for better definition of high quality coal prospects.