Technology processes of enhancement of broken soft and low permeability coal reservoir and surface development of coalbed methane

Broken soft and low permeability (BSLP) coal reservoirs are widely distributed in China. However, due to its soft and broken structure and low permeability, the conventional vertical/horizontal well direct fracturing technology is not ideal for the enhancement of BSLP coal seams and the surface development of coalbed methane (CBM). The efficient development of CBM in BSLP coal reservoirs has been an important technical bottleneck restricting the large-scale development of CBM industry and the efficient treatment of coal mine gas control in China. Based on the systematic analysis of the characteristics of BSLP coal reservoirs and the problems existing in the surface development of CBM, the current technological progress in the enhancement of BSLP coal reservoirs and surface development of CBM were reviewed by taking horizontal well as the base well type and focusing on three different technical directions: indirect fracturing, stress relief and consolidation before fracturing. The CBM development technologies of indirect fracturing, including roof indirect fracturing, gangue indirect fracturing and hard coal stratification indirect fracturing were summarized. The stress release CBM development technologies using different stress release methods, such as hydraulic jet cavitation, gas dynamic cavitation, mechanical + hydraulic + induced instability coupling cavitation and hydraulic slit, were reviewed. Furthermore, the CBM development technology of first consolidation and then fracturing of BSLP coal reservoirs induced by microorganisms was also summarized. The exploration of indirect fracturing technology has accumulated a lot of engineering practice, and has achieved a good effect on enhancing the BSLP coal reservoirs in areas with suitable geological conditions. The exploration of new technology for enhancing BSLP coal reservoir represented by stress release has also made great progress, and has entered the stage of engineering tests and verification. According to the characteristics of BSLP coal reservoir and the new development principle, the horizontal well stress release technology has greater potential for reservoir reconstruction and better effect for CBM development. Based on the horizontal well stress release method, the development trend of BSLP coal reservoir enhancement and surface CBM development technology was forecasted in three aspects: expanding the stress release range, improving the development effect of CBM and achieving the co-production of coal and CBM. It is expected to provide reference for improving the stimulation effect of BSLP coal reservoir and increasing the production of CBM well in China.