Determination of economic effect in the projects of degassing of coal mines

Abstract

The study considers the problem of low economic efficiency of degassing of coal mines. Methane in coal seams is in a bound sorbed state. This demands additional expenses aimed at breaking of the coal/methane link and intensification of gas production. In addition, the flow rates of gas wells drilled in the coal seams are generally lower than traditional flow rates of gas well. In this regard, projects of methane extraction from coal beds have higher costs and lower revenues compared with the projects on gas production from traditional sources. However, the extraction of methane from coal seams solves a number of problems in the coal industry, not typical for conventional gas production, the solution of which leads to additional economic effects, significantly improves the effectiveness of projects, aimed at recovering of methane from coal seams. The article describes the main effects caused by the degassing of coal mines: reduction of accidents associated with the explosion of methane; improvement in the use of the front of mining operations in coal mines due to a decrease in the influence of the «gas factor»; reduction of methane emissions into the atmosphere; the use of the extracted methane. Author shows the technique of calculating economic effects in the of coal mines degassing of projects. He also presents the formulas for the calculation of these effects. The research has an analysis of the relationship between all economic effects.