Preliminary Evaluation of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Resources in Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan is energy deficient underdeveloped country with wide resources of low quality coal. The prevailing models for CBM occurrence in low-rank coals have changed dramatically in recent years due to the growth of commercial CBM activity in the Powder River Basin (PRB), and are still evolving. Coal is an unusual lithology in that it is both an excellent source and reservoir rock (Levine, 1993). CBM in commercial quantities in the Cambay Basin of India - both of which are similar in age and rank to most of Pakistan's coal provoked to re-look into Sindh's CBM resource. Thar coal is considered as largest reserves of low ranking coal. Preliminary geological investigation was carried out; results shows that low ranked coal seams of class Lignite B to High Volatile B bituminous coal exists in Sindh and better in quality from Powder River Coal Deposits. Results also show that possibility of CBM exploitation is possible. Interactive wireline correlation between wells has been carried out. Results show that isolated coal seam of Bara Member (Paleocene) and Sonari Member of Laki Formation (Eocene) in sub-surface. In Thar, thickness of coal seams is thicker than other area with better prospect for gas adsorption capacity. Coal seams are present as isolated bodies with varying thickness, probably exists few kilometers in sub surface. Bituminous coal exists in Sonda, Thatta and Jherruck. Analogy for the coals in the Sindh is Powder River basin (Wyoming and Montana) where extensive CBM operations and production has been taking place. Depositional Model has been prepared to ascertain its Ariel extant.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90291 ©2017 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, April 2-5, 2017