Prospects and exploration directions of deep coalbed methane resources in China

The assessment of deep coalbed methane (CBM) resource potential provides a critical scientific basis for the formulation of national energy policies and the strategic development planning of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). This study systematically defines the accumulation mechanisms of deep CBM and establishes a standardized resource evaluation methodology applicable to regions at various exploration stages. The study further clarifies the objectives, significance, and classification criteria of deep CBM resources. The estimated in-situ resources of deep CBM in China's major basins are 37.44 × 10 12 m 3 , with technically recoverable resources amounting to 16.51 × 10 12 m 3 . These resources are mainly distributed at depths >1500 m within central and western sedimentary basins, primarily hosted in Carboniferous, Permian, and Jurassic coal seams. The majority of these resources are classified as levels I and II, indicating substantial exploration and development potential. Key future exploration and development targets include the No. 8 and No. 5 coal seams in the eastern and central Ordos Basin, the high-pressure CBM reservoirs in the central Sichuan Basin, and the mixed-origin gas reservoirs in the Junggar, Tarim, and Turfan-Hami basins of Xinjiang, China.