How is CBM extracted?
The lifecycle of a CBM project is similar to that of oil and gas – starting with appraisal wells and finishing with production wells. Appraisal wells typically take around a month from start to finish, and Composite will be drilling a number of appraisal wells throughout its Lease to better understand the coal and methane. After the appraisal programme, drilling locations will be finalized to best extract the methane with minimal disturbance of the environment. Composite then uses its own drilling rig to drill a horizontal borehole, and then use a second more-powerful rig to drill the horizontal component of the hole into the coal seam. The drilling rig is then removed and facilities are installed. A process of dewatering commences before the methane will flow from the coal up the well bore to the surface. Saline water is pumped out of the ground, collected, the iron removed, and with environmental regulator consents, the water is allowed to flow into the sea. Composite will not be re-
