Reduction of CO₂ emission by means of CO₂ storage in coal seams in the Silesian coal basin of Poland (RECOPOL)

Publication Overview

The main aim of the project was to demonstrate the feasibility of CO₂ injection in coal under the conditions encountered in Europe , and that storage of CO₂ in this fashion is a safe and viable option for the long term.The RECOPOL project aimed to couple the geological storage of CO₂ with enhanced production of coal bed methane (ECBM). The Silesian Basin area of Poland was chosen as the demonstration site due to the favourable physical properties of the coal seams, and because the site has actively produced coal bed methane (CBM) in the past, providing historical data with which to compare experimental results.

Publication Summary

The project has demonstrated for the first time that continuous injection into bituminous coal seams can be achieved and that CH4 recovery is enhanced as a result.

The levels of injection and production achieved in this project are considered to provide a sound basis on which to develop larger scale demonstration projects in the future. Locations with higher prospects in terms of physical characteristics and higher storage/production potentials are anticipated within the Silesian Basin region, and it is expected that the experience of this project will lead to optimisation of future demonstration sites and procedures

It is still premature, based on the results of this project, to conclude that CO₂-ECBM is a technically feasible geological storage option, although the results gained here are encouraging. Further injection tests are needed to demonstrate the range of coals that are suitable for CO₂ injection and further research is needed to develop an understanding of the key processes involved CO₂ adsorption and CH4 desorption.