Coalbed

Unconventional natural gas resources — coalbed methane, gas shale and tight sandstone — have buoyed North American production, but on the downside, production per well is lower, thus raising unit costs, which means that continued higher gas prices are needed to maintain output on a flat trajectory, according to a joint study by energy consultants Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) and IHS.

A pipeline proposed by the Wyoming Pipeline Authority (WPA) to carry off some of the billions of gallons of water produced annually from coalbed methane (CBM) operations in the Powder River Basin is close to becoming more than a pipe dream. If successful, it could defuse some complaints about the excess water byproduct of CBM development.

A recently released study, funded by the Montana Oil and Gas Conservation Board, says the discharge of a limited amount of untreated coalbed methane (CBM) wastewater into the Tongue River in Montana is not substantially affecting water quality or damaging crops downstream of Wyoming and Montana CBM operations.

A recently released study, funded by the Montana Oil and Gas Conservation Board, says the discharge of a limited amount of untreated coalbed methane (CBM) wastewater into the Tongue River in Montana is not substantially affecting water quality or damaging crops downstream of Wyoming and Montana CBM operations.

While coalbed methane (CBM) has proven to be a valuable resource, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and his government have had their hands full with CBM developers in Canada and Wyoming, whose projects could affect the water quality of some of Montana’s major rivers in addition to the state’s wildlife.

While coalbed methane (CBM) has proven to be a valuable resource, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and his government have had their hands full with CBM developers in Canada and Wyoming, whose projects could affect the water quality of some of Montana’s major rivers in addition to the state’s wildlife.

The Powder River Basin Resource Council has filed pleadings in Wyoming district court in opposition to the governor’s rejection of reforms to the management of coalbed methane (CBM) discharge water. The citizens group said Gov. Dave Freudenthal’s move to block the “thoroughly debated citizen initiative” was “arbitrary, capricious and not in accordance with the law.”

The Powder River Basin Resource Council filed pleadings in Wyoming district court in opposition to the governor’s rejection of reforms to the management of coalbed methane (CBM) discharge water last week. The citizens group said Gov. Dave Freudenthal’s move to block the “thoroughly debated citizen initiative” was “arbitrary, capricious and not in accordance with the law.”

Constellation Energy Corp.’s newly formed exploration and production partnership has signed an agreement to acquire coalbed methane (CBM) properties in the Cherokee Basin from EnergyQuest Resources LP for $115 million. The transaction by Constellation Energy Partners LLC (CEP) includes more than 500 miles of pipeline gathering systems.