China Petroleum Exploration ›› 2025, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (4): 27-43.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-7703.2025.04.003

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics and development prospects of deep coal-rock gas in China

Zhao Wenzhi, Cao Zhenglin, Huang Fuxi, Lin Shiguo, Chen Kefei, Ding Lin   

  1. PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development
  • Online:2025-07-15 Published:2025-07-15

Abstract: Deep coal-rock gas in China generally refers to the combination of free gas and adsorbed gas stored in deep coal seams (greater than 1500 m) with favorable preservation conditions, which has similar hydrocarbon accumulation conditions to shale gas but different from shallow CBM. There are abundant deep coal-rock gas resources in China. An early understanding of its accumulation conditions and distribution characteristics is crucial for guiding and accelerating the reserve and production growth of deep coal-rock gas. Based on the study of recent exploration wells and trial production data, it is proposed that China’s onshore coal-rock gas was mainly developed in coal seams deposited in tidal flat–lagoon, lake shore swamp, and delta swamp environments, with the main storage space of micro- to nano-scale pores, cleavages and fissures. Deep coal-rock gas accumulated in reservoirs in both free and adsorbed states, with a relatively high proportion of free gas, indicating a major characteristic that distinguishes it from shallow CBM. Based on gas sources, deep coal-rock gas is classified into two types, i.e., selfgeneration and self-storage, and external-source and coal-storage, and the latter has a higher proportion of free gas content. The effective cap rocks and large burial depth are essential conditions for the formation of deep coal-rock gas reservoirs. Furthermore, two types of coal-rock gas reservoirs are classified in China, namely, medium- to high-rank coal (Ro≥1.3%) and low- to medium-rank coal (Ro<1.3%). The enrichment of coal-rock gas in medium- to high-rank coal benefits from the high gas generation potential, low formation water content, relatively stable structure, well-developed cleavages and fissures, and effective sealing conditions of main coal roof and floor. The enrichment of coal-rock gas in low- and medium-rank coal profits from the cumulative enrichment with low gas generation rate, continuous distribution of high-quality coal seams, coupling control of structure and gas sources. In addition, natural gas accumulated in adjacent tight sandstone (limestone) is also an important contributor to the low- and medium-rank coal-rock gas. China has abundant deep coal-rock gas resources, but the exploration remains in its early stage. It is expected that deep coal-rock gas production will increase rapidly in the future and reach its peak around 2040.

Key words: deep coal-rock gas, free gas, adsorbed gas, hydrocarbon accumulation conditions, distribution characteristics, development prospects

CLC Number: