Broad Prospect for China's Coal-bed Gas Exploitation

Sources from State Coal Industry Bureau say that China will vigorously step up the exploitation and utilization of coal-bed gas by putting into effect favorable policies including putting off the collection of coal-bed gas resources compensation and providing preferential loans to key coal-bed exploitation projects and coal-seam utilization schemes.

Coal-bed gas, a kind of "green energy" with great development potentialities, has been listed as one of the key points in China's new energy resources development strategy. The exploitation and utilization of coal-bed gas will be of great significance in improving China's energy structure, strengthening environmental protection, and enhancing coal production safety.

It is reported that China is extremely rich in coal-bed gas resources, the reserves of which are estimated to be quite considerable. In north, northeast and south China alone, the recoverable reserves of coal-bed gas reach 3.5 billion cubic meters.

In recent years, using State loans and various foreign loans, China's coal, land mineral, oil departments and local governments have built over 50 coal-bed gas exploitation and utilization projects, set up gas tanks with the gross capacity standing at 650,000 cubic meters, and laid gas pipelines with a total length of 620,000 meters, the nation's gas utilization volume has exceeded 400 million cubic meters annually. China has reportedly developed complete sets of standard goal seam gas development technology, with over 20 items approaching or reaching international advanced levels. The exploitation and utilization of coal-bed gas has broad prospects for development in China, which also has the advantages of requiring less investments, producing quick returns and having a prolonged recoverable period.

Back to top
Copyright by People's Daily Online, All rights reserved