The methane gas is physically attached to the coal seam by pressure - usually water. The water must be removed (depressurization) so the gas can escape. If the water in the coal is saline (salty), it is "deep well disposed" deep into the earth so there can be no contamination. If the water is fresh, the company has to apply to Alberta Environment for a "diversion permit". The decision has to be made as to what will happen to this drinking water.

So far in Alberta there have been no permits given, but there are a number of pilot projects waiting for approval.

Problems could occur if fresh water is removed from aquifers leaving water wells dry or water tables could lose pressure if the water seeps down to fill the void caused by the depressurization.

ALL EXISTING WATER WELLS COMPLETED IN COAL FORMATIONS SHOULD BE TESTED FOR QUALITY AND QUANTITY PRIOR TO ANY CBM ACTIVITY.

At the present time there are dry coal seams which are the most sought after as there is less cost to production.

The coal seam is fractured to encourage the gas to flow towards the pipes. There may be a compressor at each hole to suck the methane up as it is such a low pressure gas and it may not come up on its own. It is then piped to a larger compressor station for distribution. Compressors are noisy unless they have noise suppression on them.

Because methane is such a low pressure gas, many wells are usually necessary quite close together to get the most gas out of the coal. The cumulative impact of this many wells coupled with the already present conventional oil and gas sites is very concerning. Also of concern is the number of pipelines, roads, and powerlines needed in these fields. Potential growth on these lands would be severely restricted. Flaring and venting of methane will also be necessary. Some unplanned venting of methane has been known to occur where there are fractures in the formations above the coal seams.

The Butte Action Committee has membership on the MultiStakeholder (Alberta Energy, Alberta Environment, EUB, industry and community) Advisory Committee for Coalbed Methane to try to find ways to get the methane to the surface while keeping the "footprint" as small as possible. Methane needs very little, if any, treatment before it goes right to the consumer as natural gas.

What happened to the land and water connected with Coalbed Methane production you can see at www.powderriverbasin.org.