TMK is working with the Mongolian Energy Department on projects for the extraction and processing of methane from coal seams. This information was presented by MiddleAsianNews.
TMK Energy and the Ministry of Energy of Mongolia signed an agreement aimed at assessing the possibilities for the rapid integration of natural gas into the country's energy infrastructure. This could significantly accelerate the company's development, provided that permits for the use of methane from coal seams as an additional energy source are obtained.
“The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) includes a feasibility study for integrating natural gas, including methane from coal seams, into Mongolia's medium- and long-term energy strategy,” the statement noted.
The initial phase of the joint study will focus on methane as a source of electricity for peak loads, ensuring reliable energy supply during periods of high demand. The study will be dedicated to using methane from coal seams to support peak loads and optimize the country's resources to improve the energy supply chain.
TMK, which manages the methane extraction project from the Gurvantes XXXV coal seam in southern Mongolia, has every chance to benefit from the growing demand for gas as a fuel alongside traditional coal.
Mongolia is facing increasing challenges in the energy sector, struggling to provide stable electricity supply during the winter months when consumption rises for heating and active industrial activities.
Outdated infrastructure and existing capacities lead to problems in meeting peak load demands, causing power outages. Additional flexible fuel sources are needed to ensure reliable supplies during such periods, and natural gas could be a suitable solution.
The Ministry of Energy is responsible for the development and regulation of Mongolia's energy sector, ensuring its reliability and supporting national development goals.
The exploitation of extensive methane resources from coal seams could be an important step towards a long-term solution to Mongolia's electricity supply issues.
“This memorandum of understanding is an important step for TMK and the government of Mongolia, and it also confirms the growing coal seam methane extraction industry in the country. It confirms that the government recognizes natural gas as a viable alternative to coal, which will help enhance long-term energy security and diversify energy sources,” said Dougal Ferguson, CEO of TMK Energy.
Ferguson added that natural gas has the potential to become a cleaner, more efficient, and faster-acting energy source that can complement existing and future generation infrastructure, reducing dependence on electricity imports.
Methane from coal seams is a natural gas primarily composed of pure methane (95-97%). It is adsorbed onto the coal matrix and held under water pressure. To extract it, water must be pumped out from the coal fractures, which reduces pressure and allows methane to surface. This gas is classified as unconventional.
Coal seam gas is considered a cleaner fuel as it produces about half the carbon dioxide compared to coal-fired electricity and burns cleaner than other fossil fuels.
Natural gas extracted from porous sandstones is typically held under pressure by impermeable layers and rises to the surface without the need for pumping.
Last week, the company set a new gas production record in its pilot project, which is part of the Gurvantes coal seam development.
On January 21, TMK achieved a new daily production record of 674 cubic meters, equivalent to more than 23,800 standard cubic feet per day. A new monthly record of 18,370 cubic meters was also recorded.
The reserves of methane from coal seams in Mongolia may gain additional advantages as the country seeks to strengthen its energy resources and is located close to northern gas pipelines in China, opening up prospects for significant volumes of gas in future field development projects.
