Method of increasing the permeability of a coal seam
US5014788A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 20, 1990 |
| Grant date | May 14, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 20, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/2605
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method of increasing the rate of methane production from a coal seam includes introducing a desired volume of a gas, that causes coal to swell, into the coal seam adjacent a wellbore, maintaining the coal seam adjacent the wellbore in a pressurized condition for a period of time to permit the gas to contact a desired area of the coal adjacent the wellbore, and relieving the pressure within the coal seam by permitting fluids to flow out from the wellbore at a rate essentially equivalent to the maximum rate permitted by the wellbore and any surface wellbore flow control equipment. Uneven stress fractures should be created in the coal by this method which will increase the near wellbore permeability of the coal seam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.