Coalbed Gas

Last updated on January 28, 2019

During the years 2000 to 2008 the price of natural gas in North America became volatile and prone to high price spikes. For almost a decade the price of natural gas averaged about $5-6 USD per million Btu and on occasion spiked at higher than $13 USD per million Btu. This intensified interest in the coalbed gas (or coalbed methane) potential of coalfields around the world. The British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources conducted research to characterize and estimate quantities of coalbed gas in the coalfields of the Province.

Since about 2009 as the technology to produce shale gas advanced, natural gas supply has increased and prices have dropped and stabilized as a result. Prices have remained well below $4 USD per million Btu for several years, and this has dampened interest in coalbed gas exploration.

Legislation in British Columbia regarding coalbed gas is detailed in the Coalbed Gas Act.

British Columbia Resource Development and Geoscience Branch, 2004. Coalbed Gas Potential in British Columbia, British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Oil and Gas Division, Petroleum Geology Paper 2004-1.

This 2004 report summarizes the coalbed gas potential of all BC coalfields, and includes a comprehensive list of references to more detailed studies.

Additional References

Chaytor, S. and Shaw, R., 2008. Geoscience Reports 2008. British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, pages 9-11.
Monahan, P.A., 2001. The Geology and Oil and Gas Potential of the Fernie - Elk Valley Area, Southeastern British Columbia
Ryan, B., 2004. Summary of Activities 2004. British Columbia Ministry of Energy Mines and Petroleum Resources, Oil and Gas Division, Resources Development and Geoscience Branch, pages 121-136.
Ryan, B., 2006. Summary of Activities 2006. British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, pages 135-138.
Ryan, B., 2006. Summary of Activities 2006. British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, pages 139-149.
Ryan, B.D., Bickford, G.C., and Niemann, M., 2005. Summary of Activities 2005. British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Oil and Gas Division, Resources Development and Geoscience Branch, pages 157-175.
Ryan, B.D., Karst, R., Owisiacki, G., and Payie, G., 2005. Summary of Activities 2005. British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Oil and Gas Division, Resources Development and Geoscience Branch, pages 15-37.
Wells, D., and Ryan, B., 2009. Geoscience Reports 2009. British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, pages 81-88.

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