3D Seismic as an Aid to Design Syngas Production by Means of Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) Methodology

The unconventional use of coal to supplement Natural Gas (NG) in the power and chemical industry makes Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) an important technology in economically producing unconventional gas. Present day exploration and production technologies pave the way “from a potential to actual production”. A 3D seismic survey has been applied in Southern Hungary for the site selection of UCG resource blocks, as well as in the design of the most optimal exploration drilling program. The latter exploration techniques directional drilled injection and production wells are planned in the coal seams to sustain the burning front. Wildhorse UCG Kft is a pioneer in the design and introduction of the environmentally friendly coal based syngas for electric power generation in East-Central European countries. Additionally the Copyright 2012, Society of Petroleum Engineers This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/EAGE European Unconventional Resources Conference and Exhibition held in Vienna, Austria, 20-22 March 2012. This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright. syngas can be utilised to supplement national gas supplies as alternative fuel gas. In this presentation the role of 3D seismic is discussed in defining the “Mecseknádasd UCG project”. Wildhorse UCG Kft completed 3D seismic measurements in April and May of 2011 in the Mecseknádasd UCG project area. The goal of the seismic measurements is to image and clarify the structural conditions and to reveal faults and other discontinuities in the coal formation explored previously by historic deep drilling in the area. The processing and interpretation of the survey results have been performed together by GEOMEGA Kft and Wildhorse UCG Kft and the presentation covers the complete survey results of the Mecseknádasd UCG exploration project: − Newly processed results of historical boreholes − Results of the seismic survey − Geological and geophysical results of new boreholes − Possibilities for upgrading the geological model with integrated interpretation by using the available geophysical data (seismic, new boreholes, historic boreholes) − The possibilities for the application of 3D seismic survey in the design process of the UCG technology and to monitor the UCG engineering process