Title: The first commercial coal bed methane project in Turkey - reservoir simulation and prefeasibility study for the Amasra coalfield

Authors: K. Baris; C. Keles; N. Ripepi; K. Luxbacher; S. Gurpinar; M. Karmis

Addresses: Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 460 Turner Street NW, Suite 304, Blacksburg, VA, USA; Zonguldak Vocational School, Bulent Ecevit University, Kilimli, Turkey ' Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 460 Turner Street NW, Suite 304, Blacksburg, VA, USA ' Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 460 Turner Street NW, Suite 304, Blacksburg, VA, USA ' Mining and Minerals Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 106 Holden Hall, Blacksburg, VA, USA ' Hattat Enerji ve Maden Ticaret A.S., KumMah. Karaevler Sk. No: 64/20, Amasra, Bartin, Turkey ' Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 460 Turner Street NW, Suite 304, Blacksburg, VA, USA

Abstract: This study plans and models coalbed methane (CBM) recovery from the Amasra coalfield (the east and the west fields) in Zonguldak Basin, Turkey and compares the results from several operational development scenarios in order to identify the most effective development strategy. The reservoir was modelled using GEM, an advanced general equation-of-state compositional simulator. Vertical and multi-lateral CBM development plans were proposed and the cumulative gas production and gas production rates were estimated. Finally, a standard discounted cash flow analysis was performed. It was found that the vertical and multi-lateral CBM plans would yield positive NPV's - US$ 12,148,498 (IRR - 28.35%) and US$ 11,250,167 (IRR - 27.39%) respectively - only at the west field. Financial analysis showed that none of the alternatives are feasible at the east field. It can be concluded that the vertical CBM development plan with higher IRR (28.35%) would be the best alternative for the west field considering the technical difficulties in drilling operations and much higher capital investment in the multi-lateral CBM development plan. By this way emissions of 2.57 MMtCO2e would be avoided over a 20-year period based on the fact that the coal will be mined and the resulting methane will be liberated. [Received: January 6, 2015; Accepted: March 2, 2015]

Keywords: coal bed methane; CBM economics; reservoir modelling; GEM; GHG emissions; greenhouse gases; Turkey; reservoir simulation; prefeasibility study; gas production rates; discounted cash flow; net present value; NPV; coal mining; drilling operations; capital investment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2016.078750

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2016 Vol.13 No.2, pp.170 - 199

Received: 11 Jan 2015
Accepted: 02 Mar 2015

Published online: 02 Sep 2016 *

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