Production of Coal Bed Methane in Germany

Abstract

The political situation in Germany and the EU in general, has provided an opportunity for energy sources like CBM. The Decision of the Federal Government to move from the traditional Nuclear Power to renewable and sustainable sources has led to the implementation of various energy sources including Geothermal and Power generation from mine gas. This does not only ensure energy security for the country but also mitigates climate change by keeping the greenhouse emissions within the EU norms and standards. Methane, the major component of mine gas, is a 20 times more potent greenhouse gas than CO₂. Extraction of gas from coal seams for power generation and heat supply thus reduces the emissions significantly. Abandoned Mine Methane (AMM) and Coal Mine Methane (CMM) projects are now prevalent in several sites in North Rhine-Westphalia and Saarland. As mining companies start to wind-up their activities in the country more AMM projects will start up. Along with this there is a need to invest in the development of virgin Coal Bed Methane projects to secure an abundant energy supply for the future. The Münsterland Basin has good potential for this. This paper discusses the state-of-the-art of degasification technology and the present production scenario for coal seam methane.