Coalbed methane in-place resources in Hungary

Abstract

This study summarizes the genesis and accumulation of coalbed methane (CBM). It presents the
Hungarian coal basins with respect to geological conditions and firedamp hazard. The (former)
underground coal mines of Hungary were grouped in classes according to the specific emission of
methane in any ventilating district of the mines. The estimation of methane gas in-place was performed
by ventilating data, but in the case of the Mecsek Coal Basin underground programmes were used to
drain methane from the coal prior to mining; absorption/desorption tests and other analyses, as well the
results of former attempts and studies were also applied.
The preliminary estimates cited in this report show the total in-place gas contents (hypothetical +
speculative) of Hungarian coal basins ranging from 152-159 billion cubic metres. This amount is near to
the identified Hungarian conventional natural gas in-place (174 billion cubic metres).
The largest part (92-94%) of the in-place coalbed methane potential exists in the Mecsek Coal Basin,
from which about 29-50 billion cubic metres are recoverable. The previous attempts to drain CBM from
the surface through wells have not been successful in the Mecsek because of the low permeability of the
coal and the type of technology applied.
The coalbed gas (methane) resource potential of Hungary should be further investigated in order to
evaluate its potential impact on the future energy budgets of the nation.