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Our Bureau

Kolkata , Nov 2

FORMAL drilling at the UNDP-funded coal-bed methane (CBM) project at Moonidh in Jharia coalfield of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) has commenced with the objective of promoting indigenous CBM technology, demonstrating utilisation of gas in power generation, and achieving self-sufficiency in methane gas production.

The Rs 92-crore project, christened Coal Bed Methane Recovery and Commercial Utilisation, has been taken up by the Union Ministry of Coal in collaboration with the Global Environment Fund of the UNDP.

While vertical drilling at Moonidh formally commenced in September 2005, the drilling will soon start at Sudamdih of the same coalfield.

There are about five surface wells at Moonidh with an expected CBM gas emission of 25,000 cubic metres a day.

The Sudamdih project is expected to produce about 21,000 cubic metres of CBM gas a day.

The projects are expected to fetch a price of around Rs 6,000 a cubic metre. Methane gas produced from these two units will be used in the power plant at Moonidih and BCCL's dumpers.

Sources connected with these projects said that the CBM projects are expected to strengthen the knowledge base of institutions such as BCCL, the Central Mine Planning Design Institute, and the Central Mining Research Institute.

The benefits of CBM recovery include reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, improving the health and safety of underground miners, and promoting indigenous entrepreneurs engaged in recovery, transportation, and use of the gas.

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