In the heart of China’s coal-rich regions, a technological revolution is underway, one that promises to reshape the future of coalbed methane (CBM) exploration and bolster the energy sector’s commercial prospects. At the forefront of this transformation is Haibo Wu, a researcher from the School of Earth and Environment at Anhui University of Science and Technology, who has been delving into the intricacies of seismic prediction and assessment technologies for CBM reservoirs.
For over three decades, these technologies have been instrumental in CBM exploration, and Wu’s recent study, published in the journal *Meitian dizhi yu kantan* (which translates to *Modern Geophysics and Exploration*), sheds light on the current status and future trends of this critical field. The journal is a prominent publication in the geophysical community, known for its rigorous peer-review process and high-quality research.
Wu’s research highlights the rapid development of core technologies within the seismic prediction and assessment technical system for CBM reservoirs. These include seismic-petrophysical tests, modeling and inversion, seismic wavefield simulation, seismic amplitude versus offset (AVO) inversion, and seismic attribute inversion. Moreover, the study explores the impacts and limitations of CBM reservoir characteristics, such as adsorbed gas, pore-fracture dual systems, viscoelasticity, and thin layers, on the accuracy and resolution of seismic prediction and assessment technologies.
“The characteristics of CBM reservoirs present unique challenges,” Wu explains. “For instance, the adsorbed gas and the complex pore-fracture dual system can significantly influence the seismic response, making it crucial to develop tailored technologies that can accurately predict and assess these reservoirs.”
The study also delves into the future prospects of seismic prediction and assessment technologies for CBM reservoirs, emphasizing the need to align with the development direction of deep CBM exploitation and multi-gas commingling production from coal measures. Wu envisions breakthroughs in fine-scale petrophysical characterization of reservoirs, numerical modeling and simulation, high-precision exploration data acquisition, target-oriented fine-scale processing, multi-parameter high-precision intelligent inversion, and comprehensive identification of sweet spot areas.
These advancements could significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of CBM exploration, ultimately boosting the energy sector’s commercial prospects. By improving the accuracy of seismic prediction and assessment technologies, energy companies can make more informed decisions about where and how to drill, reducing costs and increasing the likelihood of successful extraction.
Moreover, the shift towards deep CBM exploitation and multi-gas commingling production from coal measures could open up new opportunities for the energy sector. As Wu notes, “The future of CBM exploration lies in our ability to adapt to these changing conditions and develop innovative technologies that can meet these challenges head-on.”
In conclusion, Wu’s research offers a comprehensive overview of the current status and future trends of seismic prediction and assessment technologies for CBM reservoirs. By highlighting the unique challenges posed by CBM reservoir characteristics and emphasizing the need for tailored technologies, the study provides valuable insights for the energy sector. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of energy security and climate change, the development of innovative technologies for CBM exploration could play a crucial role in shaping the future of the energy sector.