ECBM research within the Dutch CATO Project

This chapter determines the technical and economical feasibility of Enhanced Coalbed Methane (ECBM) as a way to geologically sequester CO2. A number of field projects are taking place and much laboratory work has already been done, but still there is little or no fundamental understanding of the physics behind exchange reactions and swelling behavior. The CATO project is an integrated research program sponsored by the Dutch government in the area CO2 capture, transport, storage, risk analysis, environmental impact, and societal acceptance. CATO is trying to address this knowledge gap so that the CO2 injection for ECBM and CO2 storage purposes can become a reality in the near future. In the wake of the Kyoto protocol, reduction of CO2 emissions to control the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has become a major goal. In this kind of environment, the challenge is to find cost-effective solutions, profitable if possible, that will reduce the release of CO2 into the atmosphere.