The increasing demand for cleaner source of energy forces India to explore various energy sources, and in this process, coal bed methane gas attracts lot of attention for its favourable characteristics including abundance of coal, clean gas, mitigation of greenhouse gases, reduction in hazard in mines, etc. However, the challenge faced during exploration and production varies from depth of seam, heterogeneity in coal characteristics, rank, sorption capacity, saturation, etc. So the detail analysis of various properties is important for economical extraction of gas. The present paper investigates coal properties and their influence on coal bed methane potentiality. Samples from core wells have been analysed in laboratory using proximate and ultimate analyser. Linear correlations between coal constituents and vitrinite reflectance as well as sorption capacity of coal have been established statistically. Mutual relations among proximate parameters are developed.

Coal is liberally accessible energy resource utilized by mankind for its comfort. Though economical it still has unfavorable impact on the environment. Presently underground coal a source of methane gas confined within the seams known as coal bed methane (CBM) attracts due to its purity and environment friendly. FTIR, UV visible spectroscopy, XRD, solid state NMR are well known spectroscopic instruments used to analyze complex coals chemical structures and its consequences on methane gas source. In the present research virgin coal samples from Barail Formation are examined by FTIR and XRD to assign various functional groups and minerals present separately. Proximate and ultimate analyses are correspondingly conducted to know its organic and inorganic constituents. Results reflect the low moisture content and moderate fixed carbon quantity progresses with depth. FTIR studies uncover presence of aromatic and aliphatic functional sets; prerequisite of hydrocarbons generation. Coal seam at depths of 740-846 m is favorable for economic methane gas production. These are promising pre-requisites of coal to be an unconventional resource. There is abundance of quartz, kaolinite and mon-tmorillonite; traces of pyrite and siderite too are observed from XRD spectral investigation.

The Oligocene succession of the Tikak Parbat Formation has prominent coal bearing horizons. The formation comprises of medium to coarse grained light coloured sandstone, clay and carbonaceous shale with four workable coal seams. Core samples from two wells has been studied with regards to organic matter content and type. Relatively high total organic carbon (TOC) contents are present (average 72.103 wt %) in coal; the hydrogen index (HI) values reach a maximum of 410 mg HC/g TOC, indicating presence of type III-II kerogen, and the organic matter is thermally immature (Tmax 428°C) in coal. The genetic potential have maximum yield of 246.53 mg/g, so the coal deposits could act as an excellent source rock for hydrocarbons if the burial depth is sufficient. Carbonaceous shale samples are at early mature stage (T 438°C). Kerogen at this maturity level is within oil window and is capable of generating oil and thermogenic gas upon thermal cracking. The study highlights dense accumulation of reactive macerals (vitrinite + liptinite) and low concentration of inertinite. The empirically derived values for coal reveal a high conversion (>90%) and oil yield (>60%).

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