Coalbed Methane Pushes Out Gas

The Energy Bureau of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) is working on a plan for the exploitation and use of coalbed methane for the 12th Five-year Plan period (2011-2015). Coalbed methane is considered a prime alternate source for natural gas. In the coming five years the shortfall in supply of natural gas is expected to reach 160 billion cubic meters. Industry analysts estimate the coalbed methane output will double in that period. Projections put the annual output of natural gas at 20-24 billion cubic meters by the end of 2015. At present China's annual production of coalbed methane stands at 7.5 billion cubic meters, 10 percent less than the amount of natural gas. Deposits of resource lying no deeper than 2,000 meters underground amount to 36.8 trillion cubic meters, the world's third largest. According to the NDRC plan, proven deposits of coalbed methane will increase by one trillion cubic meters by 2015 and two trillion cubic meters by 2020.