1. Anil Kr. Rana Rajiw Lochan CMPDI (HQ), Ranchi
Opportunities and Challenges in Coal Mine Methane Management in India : Survey Findings
Anil Kr. Rana
Rajiw Lochan
CMPDI (HQ), Ranchi

2. Coal Mine Methane - Introduction
Methane is a colourless, tasteless, odourless and non-toxic gas
It is a greenhouse gas, which is over times more effective in trapping heat in the earth’s atmosphere than carbon dioxide
It is emitted in the atmosphere from a variety of natural and human-influenced sources
Coal mining is one the major human-influenced sources of methane emission

3. Coal Mine Methane - Introduction
Coalbed methane is the methane gas adsorbed in coal, which is formed during coalification process itself
Methane contained in coal is not released to atmosphere unless exposed by erosion or disturbed due to mining
Methane gas that is released from coal or surrounding rock strata during the process of coal mining is commonly known as Coal Mine Methane
Methane makes explosive mixture with air and is, therefore, required to be diluted below statutory permissible limit in underground coal mines usually by exhaust mechanical ventilation system

4. Coal Mine Methane - Introduction
Explosibility range for methane in air: 5% to 14% by volume
[Lower limit of this range remains almost constant, but the upper limit reduces with decrease in the oxygen percentage in air]
Most explosive mixture: at 9.8% of methane in air by volume
Statutory limit of inflammable gas percentage in UG mines:
Should not exceed 0.75 in the general body of the return air of any ventilating district, and
Should not exceed 1.25 at any place in the mine
Precautions statutorily required if percentage of inflammable gas exceeds 1.25 at any place in the mine:
Reg. 142, 145(1)(e) and 175 of CMR, 1957 and
Sub-rules (4) and (5) of Rule 126 of Indian Electricity Rules, 1956

5. List of disasters due to methane explosion in underground mines
Sl. No.
Name of the coal mine
Date of disaster 1.
Nadirkhan mine 2.
Dishergarh mine 3.
Namdang mine 4.
Kendwadih mine 5.
Chowrasi mine 6. 7. 8.
Amlabad mine 9.
Khost mine
10.
Parbelia mine
11.
Bagdigi mine
12.
Kurhurbaree mine
Sl. No.
Name of the coal mine
Date of disaster
13.
Poidih mine
14.
Begunia mine
15.
Damra mine
16.
Amlabad mine
17.
Chinakuri mine
18.
Dhori mine
19.
Jeetpur mine
20.
Sudamdih mine
21.
Baragolai mine
22.
Tipong mine
23.
Bhatdih mine
24.
Anjan Hill mine

6. Explosion in Bhatdih mine
An accident took place in Bhatdih colliery of Bharat Coking Coal Limited in Dhanbad district of Jharkhand state on the 6th Sept., 2006.
In this unfortunate accident, 50 mine workers lost their lives.
As per the report of Court of Inquiry, this accident occurred due to firedamp (methane) explosion caused by blasting. This was followed by coal dust explosion.

7. Explosion in Anjan Hill mine
An accident took place in Anjan Hill mine of South Eastern Coalfields Limited in Korea district of Chhattisgarh state on the 6th May, 2010.
This accident resulted in death of 14 persons, serious bodily injuries to 5 persons and minor injuries to 26 persons.
As per the report of Court of Inquiry, this accident occurred due to spontaneous heating of coal, fire and explosion.

8. CMM - Opportunities
While methane is considered as one of the biggest hazards for UG coal mines, it is an important and relatively cleaner source of energy
Thus, utilisation of methane emission can provide significant energy, economic and environmental benefits
In addition to the direct financial benefits that may be enjoyed by sale of coal mine methane, several indirect economic benefits may also be achieved.

9. Special characteristics of Indian coalfields
There are two potential coalfields namely Damodar valley and Sohagpur for CMM
Damodar valley CF is one of the oldest coalfields in India and is extensively worked.
Multiple mining horizons (more than 20)
Densely populated
All the above factors are making extraction of CMM a complex proposition

10. Special characteristics of Indian coal
Low gas content
Low permeability (generally < 1 milli-darcy)
CMM extraction is required in Degree III mines with PSLW technology.
In other mines it is to be decided on case to case basis
Degree of gassiness
Number of mines
Degree I ( Methane < 1m3/ te)
136
Degree II ( Methane > 1m3/ te ; <10m3/ te) 81
Degree III ( Methane > 10m3/ te ) 9
Total
226

11. De-gassification systems used to drain methane to
CMM - Opportunities
De-gassification systems used to drain methane to
improve worker’s safety
increase methane recovery by preventing gas from escaping into the mine atmosphere
reduce ventilation cost
reduce methane-related mining delays, thereby increasing productivity

12. A case for mitigating revenue loss
In Moonidih XVI Top PSLW (BCCL), even one day stoppage due to methane, will result in a revenue loss of Rs. 87 Lakhs ($130,000) approx.
Similarly, in Jhanjhra mine the expected revenue loss will be Rs Cr. ($212,000)
Keeping the above in view, one EOI has been floated for methane drainage for Moonidih mine, which is a degree III gassy mine.

13. CMM extracted from the mine may be used
CMM - Opportunities
CMM extracted from the mine may be used
for pipeline injection (gas grid is not available in the eastern India)
To meet the fuel needs of local industries
for power generation (for on-site use or sale to the power grid) – on-site use of power thus generated will cut-down power bills
For other on-site uses such as, drying coal, for even fuelling mine vehicles after being compressed, etc.

14. Technologies for CMM extraction
In-seam drilling and surrounding rock strata from underground
Surface to in-seam drilling
Conventional vertical drilling

15. Co-development agreement (For CBM and coal)
The purpose of this agreement is to provide for:
Efficient and expeditious processes under which the parties may undertake activities; simultaneously for coal mining and CBM operations;
The rights of each party within the overlap area;
Amicable resolution of matters which are pertinent to exploration and production of CBM and coal mining in the overlap area including safety and rehabilitation

16. Co-development agreement (For CBM and coal)
The co-development plan is submitted to MoC and MoP&NG after due approval of DGMS and DGH
Amendments to the co-exploration and development plan must be exercised only after mutual consent of both parties in writing.
The amendment and modification in approve co-exploration and development plan with suitable modification in safety management plan shall be approved by DGMS, prior to implementation.
Right to extract and sale of CBM in the overlap area lies solely with the CBM Lease Holder. CML Holder for coal mining is entitled to mine coal in the overlap area provided that such coal mining is in accordance with the agreed co-development plan, as amended from time to time.
The CML Holder is entitled to extract CMM from the coal seams in which mining is proposed for safety or for commercial use as deemed fit under relevant rules and regulations for mining safety and with the consent of CBM Lessee/ PEL Holder

17. Parbatpur (Central): A case for Co-development Plan

18. Parbatpur (Central): A case for Co-development Plan (Contd.)
Parbatpur (Central) coal block is allotted to m/s ISP-SAIL for coking coal mining.
This block is also a part of Parbatpur (Central) CBM block allotted to JV of ONGC & CIL

19. Parbatpur (Central): A case for Co-development Plan (Contd.)
The main issues are as under:
Seam XV and below allotted for CBM extraction to M/s ISP-SAIL
Due to difference in seam horizons, the proposed technology of CBM extraction is not suitable for CMM extraction in the upper seams.
The layout of borewells for CBM is interfering with the layout for coal extraction

20. Thank you

21. CBM / CMM Status
CBM / CMM is administered by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, GoI
Total Allotted CBM Blocks – 33
Area covered under these blocks: 16,613 sq.km.
CBM resources (in 33 Blocks): 62.4 TCF (1767 BCM)
Gas-in-Place (GIP) – 9.9 TCF ( BCM)
Present Gas Production (as on May 2016) – MMSCMD from 5 CBM blocks
Total Prognosticated CBM Resource in India – 92 TCF (2600 BCM)

22. CBM / CMM Status
No. of CBM blocks in Development phase: 8 (incl. 2 which entered production phase)
No. of CBM blocks in exploration phase: 4
No. of CBM blocks relinquished: 4
No. of CBM blocks awaiting PEL: 2
No. of CBM blocks under relinquishment: 14
No. of CBM block, whose contract is terminated: 1
Annual CBM production in FY : MMSCM

23. CBM Blocks under Development & Production
Sl. No.
State
Block
Contractor
Area (sq. km.)
Present Status 1.
West Bengal
Raniganj (South)
GEECL
210
Production 2.
Jharkhand
Jharia
ONGC & CIL 85
Development 3.
Raniganj (North)
350 4.
BK-CBM-2001/I
ONGC & IOC 95 5.
NK-CBM-2001/I
340 6.
RG(E)-CBM-2001/I
Essar Oil Ltd.
500 7.
Madhya Pradesh
SP(E)-CBM-2001/I
RIL
495 8.
SP(W)-CBM-2001/I

24. CBM Blocks under Exploration
Sl. No.
State
Block
Contractor
Area (sq. km.)
Present Status 1.
Madhya Pradesh
SP(N)-CBM-2005/III
REL, RNRL & Geopetrol
609
Exploration 2.
Jharkhand
RM(E)-CBM-2008/IV
EOL
1128 3.
Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh
SP(NE)-CBM-2008/IV
339 4.
SR-CBM-2005/III
DIL & Coal Gas
330

25. CBM Blocks Terminated and PEL Awaited
Sl. No.
State
Block
Contractor
Area (sq. km.)
Present Status 1.
Tamil Nadu
MG-CBM-2008/IV
GEECL
667
Under arbitration 2.
Odisha
TL-CBM-2008/IV
EOL
557
PEL awaited 3.
IB-CBM-2008/IV
209

26. CBM Blocks under Relinquishment
Sl. No.
State
Block
Contractor
Area (sq. km.) 1.
Jharkhand
SK-CBM-2003/II
ONGC 70 2.
NK(W)-CBM-2003/II
267 3.
West Bengal
BB-CBM-2005/III
British Petroleum
248 4.
Chhattisgarh
MR-CBM-2005/III
Dart Energy, GAIL, EIG & TATA Power
634 5.
TR-CBM-2005/III
458 6.
Rajasthan
BS(1)-CBM-2003/II
RIL
1045 7.
BS(2)-CBM-2003/II
1020 8.
SH(N)-CBM-2003/II
825

27. CBM Blocks under Relinquishment
Sl. No.
State
Block
Contractor
Area (sq. km.) 9.
Andhra Pradesh
KG(E)-CBM-2005/III
REL, RNRL & Geopetrol
750
10.
Rajasthan
BS(4)-CBM-2005/III
1168
11.
BS(5)-CBM-2005/III
739
12.
Telangana
GV(N)-CBM-2005/III
Coal Gas, DIL & Adinath
386
13.
Jharkhand
RM-CBM-2005/III
Dart Energy, GAIL, EIG & TATA Power
469
14.
Assam
AS-CBM-2008/IV
Dart Energy & OIL
113

28. CBM Blocks Relinquished
Sl. No.
State
Block
Contractor
Area (sq. km.) 1.
Madhya Pradesh
ST-CBM-2003/II
ONGC
714 2.
Maharashtra
WD-CBM-2003/II
503 3.
Rajasthan
BS(3)-CBM-2003/II
ONGC & CIL
790 4.
ST-CBM-2008/IV
Dart Energy & TATA Power

29. Reg. 142 of CMR, 1957
For the purpose of this regulation, inflammable gas shall be deemed to have been found or detected when it is indicated by the lowered flame of a flame safety lamp, or where methane indicators are used, they indicate one and a quarter percent or more of inflammable gas.
When any person detects the presence of inflammable gas, he shall not brush or waft it out, but shall immediately withdraw from the place and shall inform his superior official about the same.
Where in any place in a mine, inflammable or noxious gas is detected, all persons shall be withdrawn from the place, and the place shall be immediately fenced off so as to prevent persons inadvertently entering the same. The overman or other competent person in charge shall, without delay, take steps to remove the gas by improving the ventilation.

30. Reg. 142 of CMR, 1957 Back to slide Back to slide
During the removal of such gas, all persons, except those necessary for such removal, shall be withdrawn from the return side of the ventilating district in which the gas has been detected unless quantity of gas is, in the opinion of the overman or other competent person, so small that no such withdrawal is necessary:
Provided that where the danger arises from the presence of inflammable gas, no naked light shall be used in the ventilating district in which the gas is detected.
No person shall be re-admitted into the place where the gas was detected until a competent person has examined the place and has reported that the place is free from gas. Every such examination shall be made with an approved flame safety lamp, and in the case of noxious gas, also with a cage containing suitable birds or other means of detecting carbon monoxide gas approved by the Chief Inspector.
Particulars of every occurrence referred to in sub-regulation (2) and of every examination made under sub-regulation (5), together with a statement as to where and when the gas was found and when it was removed, and in case of inflammable gas, the percentage thereof shall be recorded in a bound-paged book kept for the purpose. Every such entry shall be signed and dated by the competent person making the report, and countersigned and dated by the manager.
Back to slide
Back to slide

31. Sub-regulation (1)(e) of Reg. 145 of CMR, 1957
Where electrical energy is used in any ventilating district in a gassy seam of the second or third degree, determination shall be made of the percentage of inflammable gas present in the general body of air, and the following provisions shall apply in respect of such determination namely:
If any determination in any ventilating district shows the percentage of inflammable gas to exceed one and a quarter, the supply of electric energy shall be cut off immediately from all cables and apparatus in the district, and a written report thereof submitted to the Regional Inspector forthwith.
Back to slide

32. Reg. 175 of CMR, 1957
In any gassy seam the following additional precautions shall be taken –
If in the ventilating district, presence of inflammable gas is detected in any place, no shot-hole shall be charged, stemmed or fired in that place or in any other place situated on its return side till such place has been cleared of gas and declared safe.
Immediately before charging a shot-hole or a round of shot-holes and again before firing the shots, the shot-firer shall carefully test for inflammable gas at all places within a radius of 18 meters of the place of firing.
No shot-hole shall be charged if any break is found therein, or if inflammable gas is found issuing therefrom.
If after charging a shot-hole, inflammable gas is found in any place within prescribed radius, no shot shall be fired until the place has been cleared of gas and declared safe.
No delay action detonator shall be used, except with the previous permission in writing of the Chief Inspector and subject to such conditions as he may specify therein.
Back to slide

33. Sub-rule (4) of Rule 126 of IER, 1956
In any coal seam of degree second and degree third gassiness or the danger zone of oil-mine the supply shall be discontinued –
Immediately, if open sparking occurs;
During the period required for examination or adjustment of the apparatus, which would necessitate the exposing of any part liable to open sparking;
The supply shall not be re-connected until the apparatus has been examined by the electrical supervisor or one of his duly appointed assistants until the defect, if any, has been remedied or the necessary adjustment made;
A flame safety lamp shall be provided and maintained in a state of continuous illumination near an apparatus (including portable or transportable apparatus) which remains energised and where the appearance of the flame of such safety lamps indicates the presence of inflammable gas, the supply to all apparatus in the vicinity shall be immediately disconnected and the incident reported forthwith to an official of the mine;
and such apparatus shall be interlocked with the controlling switch in such a manner as to disconnect power supply automatically in the event of percentage of inflammable gas exceeding one and one-quarter in that particular district;
Provided that where apparatus for automatic detection of the percentage of inflammable gas or vapour are employed in addition to the flame safety lamps, such apparatus shall be approved by the Inspector of Mines and maintained in perfect order.

34. Sub-rule (5) of Rule 126 of IER, 1956
(i) In any part of a coal seam of any degree of gassiness or in any hazardous area of an oil-mine, if the presence of inflammable gas in the general body of air is found any time to exceed one and one-quarter percent, the supply of energy shall be immediately disconnected from all cables and apparatus in the area and the supply shall not be re-connected so long as the percentage of inflammable gas remains in excess of one and one-quarter:
In an oil-mine where concentration of inflammable gas exceed 20 percent o its lowest explosive limit, the supply of electric energy shall be cut off immediately from all cables and apparatus lying within 30 meters of the installation and all sources of ignition shall be removed from the said area and normal work shall not be resumed unless the area is made gas-free.
Provided that such disconnections shall not apply to intrinsically safe environmental monitoring scientific instruments.
(ii) Any such disconnection or re-connection of the supply shall be noted in the log-sheet which shall be maintained in the form set out in Annexure XII and shall be reported to the Inspector.
Back to slide