How important is CBM?
Coalbed methane now accounts for over 8% of US gas production. Large quantities of coalbed methane are presently produced from deep coals in the Black Warrior basin of Alabama and the San Juan basin of Colorado and New Mexico. According to the Energy Information Agency, CBM also comprises 10% of US gas reserves and 15% of undiscovered US gas resources. Moreover, growth in coalbed methane production from 1990 to 2000 equaled 60% of the overall increase in United States natural gas production. Coal-bearing basins in the United States are in competition for frontier coalbed resources. Acreage position and knowledge of the best geological and engineering methods for evaluation and developing CBM resources are needed for successful exploitation.
