Energy & Fuels, Vol.32, No.8, 8241-8253, 2018
Coal Reservoir Heterogeneity in Multicoal Seams of the Panguan Syncline, Western Guizhou, China: Implication for the Development of Superposed CBM-Bearing Systems
The reservoir heterogeneity of multiple coal seams in the Panguan area was systematically analyzed based on coalmine geological exploration data, field-test data, and laboratory tests. The results show that the physical properties (e.g., pore size distribution) of adjacent coal seams in the same well are basically the same due to the similar coal rank and the nonexistence of a coalification jump, whereas the ash yield and sulfur content related to the sedimentary environment exhibit a "high low high" trend with increasing depth. After the third coalification jump, coal becomes much more compact with a reduction in the seepage space and increase in the specific surface area. Additionally, the NMR T2 spectrum decreases from a bimodal to a unimodal curve. The reservoir temperature (15-50 degrees C) increases linearly with depth, but the influence of temperature on the CH4 adsorption capacity is insignificant in this area. Additionally, the well test parameters reveal that the pressure systems are vertically superposed due to the well water resistance of the key stratigraphic units. Specifically, the reservoir pressure tends to increase with depth in the same pressure system, and a corresponding increase in gas content is observed. An abrupt point of the pressure coefficient can be regarded as a boundary of different gas-bearing systems. At the end of a gas-bearing system, coal seams are characterized by supersaturated reservoirs with a gas saturation >100%. Furthermore, the change rule of coal permeability is more complex in multiple coal seams due to the existence of superposed pressure systems. In the same stress field, a higher coal permeability is observed due to the higher reservoir pressure. In general, the reservoir pressure and in situ stress distribution are the two main determinants of the coalbed methane (CBM) enrichment and development in multicoal seams, which should be paid more attention in the selection of favorable target layers.