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Mudstones as methane sources: gas production from coal seam interburden (2015-2017)

Abstract

Carbonaceous mudstones associated with coal measures already exploited for gas present an attractive but used reservoir of methane. This project seeks to provide methods for accessing this gas. Mudstone associated with coal seam gas developments are very extensive and gas quantities may exceed even that in the coal itself. Further infrastructure and access permits are already in place for coal seam gas recovery. Unlike shale, which is fissile, mudstone is much softer, more malleable and plastic, and consequently will respond abnormally to hydraulic fracturing and propping, so new methods, to be developed in this project are needed for stimulation.

Experts

Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen

Associate Professor
School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology
Zhongwei Chen
Zhongwei Chen

Emeritus Professor Sue Golding

Affiliate of Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry
Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry
Faculty of Science
Emeritus Professor
School of the Environment
Faculty of Science
Sue Golding
Sue Golding