CMPDI's Contribution in Development of Coalbed Methane in India
I.      Identification of Potential Coalbed Methane Area

The studies for delineation of blocks for prospecting / exploitation of Coal bed Methane (CBM) have been carried out for Jharia, Raniganj, East Bokaro, West Bokaro, North Karanpura and Sohagpur coalfields by Central Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI) at the instance of Ministry of Coal and Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas).

Each of the above coalfields has been divided into two categories in regards to prospecting / exploitation of CBM as given below :

  1. "YES AREA" : where CBM operations can be taken-up.
  2. "MAY BE AREA": where coal mining may be taken up beyond Xth Plan period.

Hence, these blocks can be released for Coal Bed Methane only in future subject to consent of concerned coal company / CIL.

Salient features of the delineated area based on preliminary studies are summarised in Table.

It would be seen from Table that a total of 1924.42 Sq. Km have been delineated as "Yes Area" which is available for CBM exploration and exploitation in above mentioned coalfields. Based on these studies, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas is likely to invite global bids for exploration / exploitation of CBM in India.

A.     For " YES AREA "

Coalfield

Area
(Sq.km)

Coal Reserves
(in Billion tonnes)

Jharia

65.31

6.06

Raniganj

232.40

4.31

East Bokaro

62.50

2.62

West Bokaro

35.67

1.07

North Karanpura

340.54

8.52

Sohagpur

1188.00

10.69

Total

1924.42

33.27

(Reserves considered are in coal seams having thickness more than three metre)

B.    For "MAY BE AREA"

Coalfield

Area
(Sq.km)

Coal Reserves
(in Billion tonnes)

Jharia

21.55

1.24

Raniganj

4.1

 

East Bokaro

22.63

1.64

West Bokaro

18.20

0.52

Sohagpur

27.90

0.43

Total

94.38

3.83

(Reserves considered are in coal seams having thickness more than three metre)

C.    Total Area (Yes & May be Area)

Coalfield

Area
(Sq.km)

Coal Reserves
(in Billion tonnes)

Jharia

86.86

7.3

Raniganj

236.50

4.31

East Bokaro

85.13

4.26

West Bokaro

53.87

1.59

North Karanpura

340.54

8.52

Sohagpur

1,215.9

11.12

Total

2,018.8

37.31

(Reserves considered are in coal seams having thickness more than three metre)

II.     Coalbed Methane Recovery & Commercial Utilisation Project

In order to control methane emission related to coal mining activity, Department of Coal, Ministry of Mines and Minerals, Govt. of India, in collaboration with Global Environment Facility (GEF) / United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have taken up Demonstration Project to recover Methane during mining and use recovered methane for

CMPDI on behalf of Govt. of India is the main local implementing agency.

Objective of the Project

Project Sites

III.    Exploration / Development of CBM by CMPDI

CMPDI on behalf of CIL proposes to explore/develop coalbed methane resources. For this purpose, North Raniganj Block in the Raniganj coalfield is proposed to be taken up with ONGC as Joint Venture partner. CIL has also taken up with Dept. of Coal, Ministry of Mines and Minerals, Govt. of India, for release of Bokaro Block on nomination basis for exploration and development of Coalbed Methane. The general characteristics of coal deposits in the above named two blocks are tabulated below:

Coalfield

 State Name of the delineated block for CBM Area of block (Sq.Km.)

Coal Charecteristics

Available coal resource (B.tonne)

Depth range (m)

Vitrinite%

Ro%

UVM%
(dmf)

Carbon% (dmf)

Raniganj

 West Bengal North Raniganj 232.00

40-60

0.85-1.15

25-36

86-89

4.31

300-1000
East Bokaro Bihar Bokaro 62.50 45-65 0.80-1.24 21-37 85-90 3.15 300-1200
West Bokaro Bihar 35.67 35-60 0.80-1.20 21-37 84-90 1.3 upto 1000

Request for Expressions of Interest for Consulting Services for Development of Coalbed Methane in Permian coal deposits of Eastern India (Raniganj, East and West Bokaro Coalfields) in the states of West Bengal / Bihar.

Coal India Limited (CIL), a Government of India enterprise, contributing 88% of the country's annual hard coal production, wishes to take up development of coalbed methane in the Permian bituminous coal deposits of Eastern India in the states of Bihar / West Bengal.

Central Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI) a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd (CIL) requests for expression of interest from qualified consultants/consultancy firms of international repute for assisting CIL in development of coalbed methane prospects in the Permian bituminous coal deposits of Eastern India in the states of Bihar / West Bengal. 

Scope of services

The scope of services being requested through this expression of interest from experienced Consultants / Consultancy Firms are to assist in :

  1. Evaluation of available data.
  2. Formulation of the Work plan up to Pilot Scale Assessment to estimate likely quantity & quality of gas-in-place.
  3. Implementation of the agreed work plan.
  4. Evaluation of data generated through pilot scale assessment including reservoir characteristics and resource modelling.
  5. Preparation of a report based on the above, clearly bringing out the prospects of exploitation of coalbed methane on commercial scale.

Interested consultants must provide information along with appropriate documentary evidences indicating that they are qualified to perform above services (details about the organisation, financial details including turn over for the last three years, details of similar assignment successfully executed during the last five years, experience in similar condition, availability of appropriate skilled resources, brochures, etc). Consultants may associate with other Consultants with well defined scope of services to enhance their qualifications.

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by 31st May '2000:

Chairman-cum-Managing Director
Central Mine Planning & Design Institute
Gondwana Place, Kanke Road
Ranchi - 834 008 (India)
Fax : + (91) (651) 231851 / 231447
e.mail : cmpdi2@hub.nic.in.
or cmpdi@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in.
Website : www.cmpdi.nic.in