Powder River Basin Coal Bed Methane Development and Produced Water Management Study

U.S. Department of Energy -Office of Fossil Energy

and National Energy Technology Laboratory Strategic Center for Natural Gas

The 213 page technical document reports on an extensive and detailed assessment of the CBM resources in the PRB. Beginning with an overview of CBM production in the PRB and moving on to a detailed assessement CBM geology, reservoir characteristics. The discussion includes decline curves of the major seams, and an evaluation of produced water potential. These data are then included in an evaluation to predict potential CBM resources, volumes of produced water and well density. The report also includes an economic evaluation of the cost of produced water disposal and the impact produced water disposal will have on CBM production.