Volumetric strain associated with methane desorption and its impact on coalbed gas production from deep coal seams

The permeability of deep (1000 m; 3300 ft) coal seams is commonly low. For deep coal seams, significant reservoir pressure drawdown is required to promote gas desorption because of the Langmuir-type isotherm that typifies coals. Hence, a large permeability decline may occur because of pressure drawdown and the resulting increase in effective stress, depending on coal properties and the stress field during production. However, the permeability...