LMKR | Geoscience Software and Consulting for Unconventional Oil and Gas Exploration, Production and Development | LMKR GeoGraphix, LMKR Object Reservoir, LMKR Velocity Manager, LMKR Envertor, Geo Data Management, Geo IT Consulting, LMKR GeoGraphix Software Training and Data Services

Products | Unconventional | Coal Bed Methane
Coal Bed Methane (CBM) or Coal Seam Gas (CSG) is extracted from coal by desorption. Production wells are drilled into the coal seam to extract the gas, but, initially, these wells produce only water. This dewatering phase can last for many months or even years. Once the coal has been dewatered, the gas that is trapped in the coal is desorbed and flows to the producing wells through the cleats in the coal seam.

Initially CBM has been seen as a low cost operation with wells being drilled on a pattern, but companies are increasingly using technology to optimize the placement of wells. Different strategies for well placement include deviated and horizontal wells, depending on the geometry of the coal seam. Improving the understanding of the coal seam architecture is likely to reduce the development cost of the field. LMKR GeoGraphix FrameBuilder, smartSection and PRIZM tools assist in the mapping and modelling of the coal seam at a price point that is more suited to the lower cost CBM environments than traditional oil and gas pricing.

LMKR has a strong history in the continental United States, where CBM has been an increasingly important resource over the last few years. The company is also expanding in Australia, India, China and Indonesia which are all looking to reduce their dependence on conventional oil and gas exploration.