IPA13-SG-051
PROCEEDINGS, INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION
Thirty-Seventh Annual Convention & Exhibition, May 2013
POTENTIAL EVALUATION OF COALBED METHANE BASED ON THE GRADE AND
QUANTITY OF THE COAL IN THE MANGUS SEAM, MUARAENIM FORMATION,
NIBUNG REGION, SOUTH SUMATRA BASIN
Alex Candra*
ABSTRACT
Indonesias oil and gas reserves decrease by about
2.4% per year (Panuju, 2010). Therefore, we need
sustainable energy: CoalBed Methane (CBM).
CBM is simply methane found in coal seams and is
mixture of hydrocarbon gases, with methane (CH4)
as the dominant composition of 9095% (Bayrak,
2010). The potential of the CBM reserves in South
Sumatra, Indonesia is 183 trillion cubic feet (Steven
and Hardiyanto, 2005).
The amount of methane gas was evaluated using
desorption tests, adsorption isotherm analysis, gas
chromatography, geochemistry methods, and
drilling to determine the thickness and depth of the
coal.
Based on the geochemistry method, the desorption
test, adsorption isotherm analysis, and gas
chromatography from as many as 20 coal samples
tested from the Mangus seam on the Muaraenim
formation, the CH4 content is about 42.21% (0.48
m3/ton), and the total gas content is 40.10 SCF/ton
(1.14 m3/ton). For an approximate analysis, the
moisture is 31.15%; volatile matter is 33.74%; and
the fixed carbon content is 33.04%. Ash content in
the Mangus seam is 2.07%, and the caloric value is
55426346 cal/g. From drilling tests at depths of
237.58251.22 m, the thickness of coal is 13.64 m.
The Mangus seam has the ability to store gas at
12.43 m3/ton at 474 psi (Arso, 2011).
Based on the geochemistry for the Mangus seam,
the Muaraenim formation is categorized as sub-
bituminous class AB (USA, ASTM) that can
produce CBM, while the results of drilling at
depths of 237.58251.22 m with 13.64 m of coal
thickness, the derived methane content is low and
the depositional environment categorized as
wetlands will generate biogenic methane, so the
* University of Diponegoro
potential of the Mangus seam to produce CBM is
low.
Keywords: CoalBed Methane, Mangus seam,
Geochemistry method, Muaraenim
formation
INTRODUCTION
Indonesias energy demand is increasing but this is
not accompanied by the production of oil and gas
resources, which decline by approximately 2.4% per
year (Panuju, 2010). Thus, there is a need for
sustainable energy to meet the future energy needs
in Indonesia. One such appropriate energy is
coalbed methane (CBM). CBM is energy derived
from a hydrocarbon gas mixture, composed of the
dominant form of methane (CH4, 9095%)
(Bayrak, 2010) in each of the coal seams. The CBM
potential in Indonesia is about 337 trillion cubic feet
(TCF). The potential resources are located in
Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi.
However, the greatest potential is in the South
Sumatra basin, with reserves of about 183 TCF
(Permana, 2007). According to Permana (2007), the
geology of the coal formation characteristics in the
Muaraenim formation shows prospects for CBM
resource exploitation. To obtain a better picture of
the potential and resources of CBM in this area, this
research focused on places that have been
inventoried previously. This study has the objective
to evaluate the quality and quantity of the CBM
potential in the Mangus seam of the Muaraenim
formation in the South Sumatra basin.
CBM is a gas formed as part of the geological
process of coal generation and is contained in
varying quantities within all coal. CBM is
exceptionally pure compared with conventional
natural gas, containing only very small proportions
of wet compounds (e.g., heavier hydrocarbons,
such as ethane and butane) and other gases (e.g.,
hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide).
CBM gas is over 90% methane and is suitable for
introduction into a commercial pipeline with little
or no treatment (Cobb, 2003).
CBM is a natural gas that occurs in coal beds and
generated during the conversion of plant material to
coal (known as coalification).
CBM is produced from a broad range of coal from
low rank sub-bituminous coal through to high rank
bituminous coal. During coalification, accumulated
and preserved plant material in ancient swamps and
bogs becomes compacted as it is buried. As the
material is buried, the pressure expels much of its
water content and the material converts into peat.
With further burial, the temperature of the material
increases and thus there are ever-increasing ranks of
coal formation, starting with lignite, followed by
sub-bituminous and bituminous coal. If the heat
(and pressure) is great enough, anthracite (the
highest rank of coal) forms. Biogenic methane
(generated by bacterial activity) is the first to form.
When the temperature exceeds that in which
bacteria can live, thermogenic methane (that
attributed to heating) forms.
Peat is transformed into coal when it is buried by
accumulating sediment and heated in the subsurface
over geologic time. The rank of coal describes the
amount of energy (measured in British Thermal
Units or BTUs) it contains, and is a function of the
proportion and type of organic matter, the length
and temperature of burial, and the influences of
subsequent hydrogeologic and tectonic processes.
Methane is generated as part of the process whereby
peat is transformed into coal. The origin of methane
in coal of low rank, such as bituminous coal, is
primarily biogenic (i.e., the result of bacterial action
on organic matter) (Levine, 1993). Low rank coals
tend to have lower gas content than high rank coals,
such as anthracite. Commercial CBM production
takes place in coals of mid-rank, usually low- to
high-volatile bituminous coals (Rogers, 1994).
REGIONAL GEOLOGY
The geology of the study area is the southern
Sumatra basin (Figure 1). According to de Coster
(1974), the South Sumatra and Central Sumatra
basins are large basins characterized by common
rocks and separated by sedimentation. The
Tigapuluh Mountain is highly formed by repeated
fault movement on rock chunks followed by tertiary
volcanic activity.
The area generally consists of undulating plains and
morphology ramps, with a small swamp.
Morphology swamps are generally only found in
areas around large rivers. The swamp is an area of
less than 5% of the whole area of investigation. A
plateau occupies the western and south-west areas
with a height of 3040 m. Gentle undulating hills
occupy the middle, north, and east areas.
Stratigraphy
The Muaraenim formation (Tmpm), aligned in the
Air Benakat formation, was a continuation of the
phase shrinkage in the shallow marine sea until the
switchover in the Late Miocene to Late Pliocene
periods. Coal deposits in the Muaraenim formation
are divided into four members. From oldest to
youngest in age, these members are M1, M2, M3,
and M4 (Figure 2). The focus of the research is on
the M2 Muaraenim formation. M2 consists of
mudstone, carbonate mudstone, siltstone, sandstone,
and coal. Carbonate mudstone is colored dark gray,
generally massive, and most prevalent in trace
parallel to the lamination plant and coal fragments.
This unit is usually found as rocks flanking coal,
with the main coal layers called the expected
formation in the Late Miocene to Early Pliocene
periods. The Muaraenim formation ruptured the
Bukitbarisan Mountains. In lithology, the
Muaraenim formation consists of mudstone and
siltstone with sandstone and coal inserts. More
specifically, the thickness of the Muaraenim
formation varies throughout the 450750 m
(Darman and Sidi, 2000, in Permana, 2007). In
general, the organic material is from tropical delta
systems.
Layer 1 is characterized by the presence of coal
inserts containing a layer of tonstein. This layer
was found by spreading laterally from outcrops in
the Pangkul River, upstream of the Baung River.
The Mangus layer is usually flanked by mudstone in
the upper part and dark gray mudstone sandstone
interspersed with smooth rocks on the bottom layer.
The thickness of the Mangus layer is approximately
10.00 m in the south. The northern part of this layer
thins abruptly, with a thickness of about 1 m. In this
part of the clamp top layer of the Mangus seam is
sandstone. The northern area of the Mangus layer is
not found.
Structural Geology
The appearance of structural patterns in the
investigation is the result of southwest trending
compression forces. The northeast-east patterns
generate a crease pattern trending northwest-
southeast, where the emphasis in some places
resulted in the occurrence of faults, both normal or
transform faults. The structure folds in the area of
investigation are Kepahyang anticline, syncline
Klampayan, and Kelumpang anticline. The axis
trends northwest-southeast, with a dip coating on
each wing ranging from 420, while the existing
transform faults cut the anticline and syncline
Kepahyang and Klampayan synclines.
METHODOLOGY
This paper uses data from the results from drilling
at the location of the drill coal NBG-01 Muaraenim
formation, Nibung area by a drilling team from the
Geological Resource Center in 2010. Coal samples
were taken from the seam with a thickness of coal
showing that the Mangus layer is 13.64 m. As many
as 20 coal samples were taken for later analysis of
the coal and methane gas composition. Analysis
was proximate, desorption tests, gas
chromatography (GC), adsorption isotherm, at
Canister 10. This paper uses secondary data from
several journals of previous studies that have been
conducted using four methods:
a. Geochemistry Method (proximate)
b. Desorption Test
c. Adsorption Isotherm Analysis
d. Gas Chromatography (GC)
The four methods above were performed on coal
samples from the Nibung area belonging to the M2
layer of the Muaraenim formation.
RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
Gas composition and proximate analysis using GC
aims to determine the gas content in the coal
contained either in the form of methane (CH4) or
other gases, such as CO2, N2, CO, H2, and O2. The
proximate analysis aimed to determine the amount
of volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash content, sulfur
content, and calorific value contained in the coal
based on the analysis of the gas composition of the
20 coal samples. This showed that the composition
of the CBM in the coal seam drilling location of the
Mangus seam at NBG-01 ranged from 42.21%
(Table 2) with the depth of the coal from 237.58 to
251.22 m (Table 1).
Block Rawas was the first priority for 178 million
tonnes of resources and could be developed further.
In this paper, we performed an interpretation of the
two coal seams in the Muaraenim formation: the
Mangus and Suban seams. The next set of two
layers has the potential to be exploited better.
Determining the potential for CBM in this paper is
limited by the following parameters:
a. Composition of volatile matter
b. Coal rank
c. Storage of gas (gas content)
d. The volume of gas stored
1. Potential CBM in the Suban seam.
Each of the parameters above determines the
potential CBM in every seam. The composition of
volatile matter in the Suban seam was 15.87% and
was classified into low volatile bituminous
(ASTM). The results of the geochemical analysis
indicate that the seam gas spill has the ability to
store methane gas at a content of 0.46 m3/ton or
16.244747 ft3/ton. The Suban seam is categorized as
having a moderate potential for CBM.
2. Potential CBM in the Mangus seam.
The same parameters were used to determine the
potential of CBM in the Mangus seam. The volatile
matter was 33.74%, and the results indicate that the
Mangus seam classification included high volatile
bituminous coal, sub-bituminous (ASTM), and has
the capability of storing methane at 0.48 m3/ton or
16.95104 ft3/ton. The Mangus seam is categorized
as a having a moderate potential for CBM.
The CBM is in the bituminous coal seam of the
Mangus and Suban seams. However, the Mangus
seam is better for high volatile bituminous, sub
bituminous (ASTM) and is good for CBM (Table 4)
Based on the desorption test results, the total
average gas content is 1.14 m3/ton and 1.08 m3/ton
for the Mangus and Suban seams, respectively.
From the adsorption isotherm analysis, the Mangus
seam has the ability to store gas at 12.43 m3/ton and
the Suban seam at 6.15 m3/ton. From the GC
analysis, the average is about 42.21% CH4 for the
Mangus seam and 43.50% for Suban seam (Arso,
2011)
Table 2 shows that based on the results of the
analysis from the gas content of coal, coal layer B
has a methane content of 42.21%, which is quite
high. Theoretically, the deeper the coal, the higher
the content of methane contained in the coal, but
drilling location NBG-01 showed different results,
where with increasing depth, the amount of methane
gas content of the coal was less.
The results of the proximate analysis showed that
the content of the volatile matter in the coal layer
represented by the samples from Mangus Canister
10 have a value of 33.74. The sulfur content in the
Mangus coal seam ranged from 0.05 to 1.38%. The
ash content of the proximate analysis results
indicated that the Mangus coal seam has a value of
2.07%. The moisture was 31.15%; volatile matter
33.74%; fixed carbon; ash content 2.07%; and
caloric value 55426346 cal/g. While the amount of
fixed carbon contained in the Suban seam is about
14.24%; volatile matter 15.87%; ash content
59.63%; methane content 38.27 SCF/ton; calorific
value around 31616135 cal/g (Canister 23). The
calorific value of the coal in the Mangus seam
ranged from 55426346 cal/g.
Under the U.S. system, it is known that coal-drilling
location NBG-01 belongs to the class of High
Volatile Coal and categorized as sub-bituminous
class AB (ASTM Classification, USA). The gas
composition of the GC shows that Canister 10
contains a methane gas composition of 40.10
SCF/ton. Based on the analysis of gas content in the
coal layer, the proximate Mangus seam at the NBG-
01 drilling location is known for layers of coal and
it contains methane gas; the fixed carbon is high
and ash content is low; and the volatile matter
content greater than in the Suban coal seam. Table 2
shows the Mangus seam, with a depth from 237.58
to 251.22 m of methane gas, contains 40.10
SCF/ton while the Suban coal layer, with a depth of
275.85 to 278.55 m of methane gas contains 38.27
SCF/ton. Compared with the second coal seam
drilling location in NBG-01, it is clear that the coal
layer in the Mangus seam has thick coal and a
greater amount of methane gas content than the
Suban coal layer does. This is estimated from the
proximate factor analysis showing the difference
between the value of the Mangus and Suban coal
layers at the NBG-01 drilling location (Arso, 2011).
DISCUSSION
In general, the relative Mangus coal layer has a
layer thicker than the Suban seam does. The
Mangus coal seam tends to have a better quality of
coal compared with the Suban seam. In visual
features, coal in the study area was brownish-black,
hard, with a dull-dull luster, and the coal quality is
quite good at showing the high calorie coal from the
Mangus seam, Nibung area (PSDG Drilling Team,
2010) According to Permana, (2007), for good coal
to produce CBM, it has to have the following
characteristics:
a. High gas content, ranging from 1530m3 per
ton.
b. Good permeability, between 3050mD.
c. Coal seams are at a fairly shallow depth of less
than 1000 m below the surface. Limitation is
due to the depth of a coal seam and the increase
in pressure, causing gas to accumulate when the
coal seam has been dewatered. When there is
higher pressure due to loading, the more likely
there will coal cleats, causing a reduction in
permeability.
d. Rank of coal. In general, CBM gas was
produced from bituminous coal, but this does
not rule on the level of anthracite, which can
also produce gas.
Based on the above characteristics and the results of
the methane gas content area, the Mangus layer,
Nibung can be categorized as having potential for
CBM but the prospect is low.
CONCLUSIONS
The Mangus seam, 237.58251.22 m in depth, has a
thickness of 13.64 m and a methane content of
40.10 SCF/ton (42.21%), while the Suban seam,
with a depth from 275.85278.55 m, has thickness
of 2.70 m and a methane content of 38.27 SCF/ton.
The analysis of the gas indicates that the methane
gas content and the thickness of the Mangus seam is
higher than the Suban seam but that the depth of the
Suban seam is greater. This content of methane gas
is expected because from the results of the
proximate analysis of the volatile matter content,
the calorific value and the fixed carbon content of
the Mangus seam is higher than the Suban seam, but
the ash content in the Mangus seam is less (Arso,
2011). Based on geochemistry, the desorption test,
the adsorption isotherm analysis, and the GC, the
Mangus seam in the Muaraenim formation is
categorized as sub-bituminous class AB (USA,
ASTM) that can produce CBM, while the results of
drilling at depths of 237.58251.22 m at a thickness
of 13.64 m, the derived methane content is low. The
depositional environment, categorized as wetlands
will generate biogenic methane, so this Mangus
seam has the potential for CBM but the prospect is
low.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The potential reserves of CBM in Indonesia reached
453.3 TCF in South Sumatra with reserves of 183
TCF (ESDM, 2003). However, the central
government and the local private sector in Indonesia
need to develop the potential CBM to improve the
welfare and future sustainability of fuel. The
government should fund more research and improve
the socialization of CBM as an effective and
environmental friendly fuel to communities. The
government is expected to publish the CBM
potential of Indonesia in the international
community so that the development of the latest
technologies from the CBM knowledge gained can
be used in improving the nations economy and can
attract foreign or domestic investors to cooperate in
mining and the increased production of CBM in
Indonesia.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It would not have been possible to complete this
paper without the assistance of my lecturer who
explained CBM to me. Thanks to Mr. Arso, Mr.
Permana, and Mr. Sukandi for permission to publish
this paper.
REFERENCES
Arso, Sigit., 2011, Kandungan Gas Metana
Batubara Daerah Nibung, Kabupaten Musi Rawas,
Provinsi Sumatera Selatan. Bandung. Pusat Sumber
Daya Geologi Vol 6 No 1.
Bayrak, Alan., 2010, Integrated Quantitative Basin
Analysis for CBM Exploration, Presented in
Workshop cbm di UNSRI Palembang tanggal 09
December 2010.
De Coster, G.L., 1974, The Geology of The Central
and South Sumatra Basin. Proceedings of the
Indonesia Petroleum Association, Fourth Annual
Convention.
Departemen Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral,
2003, Rekaman Kegiatan dan Pengembangan
Geologi 2002. Bandung: Pusat Penelitian dan
Pengembangan Geologi. Hal. 282284.
Cobb, James C., 2003, Coal Bed Methane. State
Geologist and Director Kentucky Geological
Survey, University of Kentucky: Lexington
Koesoemadinata, R.P., and Harjono, 1977,
Kerangka Sedimenter Endapan Batubara Tersier
Indonesia, PIT: IAGI VI
Panuju, 2010, (online) www. Ribunnews
com/2011/02/17/potensi-cbm-indonesia masuk-
lima-besar, Accessed on 25 January 2013.
Permana, A.K., 2007, Coal Characteristics of
Sarolangun Pauh Region: Implication for Coalbed
Methane Potential. Bandung: Jurnal Sumber Daya
Geologi Vol 18 No. 6, Hal. 35160
Pusat Sumber Daya Geologi (Tim Pemboran Dalam
Nibung, 2010). Laporan Pemboran Dalam dan
Pengukuran Kandungan Gas Pada Lapisan Batubara
Daerah Nibung Kabupaten Musi Rawas, Provinsi
Sumatera Selatan. Pusat Sumber Daya Geologi,
Badan Geologi. Kementerian Energi Dan Sumber
Daya Mineral, Bandung.
Rogers, E. Rudy, 1994, Coal Bed Methane Principle
and Practice. Prentice Hall Petroleum Engineering
Series, Mississippi State University.
Sukandi, et al., 2001, Pengkajian Batubara
Bersistem Dalam Cekungan Sumatera Selatan Di
Daerah Musirawas dan sekitarnya Propinsi
Sumatera Selatan Dan Propinsi Jambi. Sub
Direktorat Batubara.Bandung
Susilawati, Rita, 2008, Gas Methane dalam
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 TABLE 1

COAL SEAM DATA DEPTH IN POINT DRILL NBG-01 (ARSO, 2011)

HOLE COORDINATE THE DEPTH OF THICKNESS SEAM

BORE COAL SEAM (m) (m)

East Longitude South Latitude ROOF FLOOR

NBG- 1030229,80 22741,34 75.55 78.65 3.10 1

01 157.20 159.05 1.85 2
179.50 180.00 0.50 3
198.75 199.35 0.60 4
217.25 220.50 3.30 5
237.58 251.22 13.64 6 (Mangus)
275.85 278.55 2.70 7 (Suban)
282.15 283.15 1.00 8
297.42 300.95 2.58 9
313.70 314.00 0.30 10

TABLE 2

TESTING OF CALCULATION AND ANALYSIS DESORPTION GAS

CHROMATOGRAPH (ARSO, 2011)

No COAL SEAM TOTAL GAS TOTAL GAS METHANE

CONTENT CONTENT GAS
(SCF/ton) (m3/ton) COMPOSITION
(m3/ton)
1 Mangus 40.10 1.14 0.48
2 Suban 38.27 1.08 0.46

TABLE 3

GEOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF CALORIC VALUE AND ASH

CONTENT (ARSO, 2011)

No COAL SEAM DEPTH (m) CALORIC ASH

VALUE CONTENT
(Cal/g) (%)
1 Mangus 237.58 251.22 5542 6346 2.07 17.26
2 Suban 275.85 278.55 3161 6135 3.00 59.63

TABLE 4

POTENTIAL OF CBM (SOSROWIDJOJO, 2010)

Gas Content Potential of CBM

(ft3/ton)
>100 good
100 10 moderate
< 10 fair
Figure 1 - Location Map of Musirawas District, Nibung Area (Sukardi, 2001).
Figure 2 - Lithological Features of the Muaraenim Formation and Adjacent Units (Koesoemadinata
and Harjono, 1978).