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Potential for gas migration due to coalbed methane development

Description

Coalbed gas (CBG) effectively consists of methane with minor amounts of ethane and propane, but no hydrogen sulphide (H2S). Recognition of CBG as an increasingly important energy resource has led... More ≫

Description

Coalbed gas (CBG) effectively consists of methane with minor amounts of ethane and propane, but no hydrogen sulphide (H2S). Recognition of CBG as an increasingly important energy resource has led to rapid expansion of exploration activity. Rapid development started in the 1980s in the western United States of America (USA), and has spread over the last six years to the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB). Increased production activities have brought increased awareness of environmental issues surrounding CBG development. In particular, reports of negative experiences associated with early CBG development in the USA have raised stakeholder concerns in Canada. Alberta CBG development has largely avoided the water resources issues experienced in the USA from CBG exploitation for two reasons. The major CBG resource plays in Canada to date have been in ‘dry’ coals, while ‘wet’ CBG coals developed in the USA required dewatering in order to recover the gas. Secondly, the rapid...

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An independent review of coalbed methane related water well complaints filed with Alberta Environment

Description

Alberta Research Council was contracted by Alberta Environment to conduct four reviews of complaints about coalbed methane activities affecting private water wells, to independently assess the... More ≫

Description

Alberta Research Council was contracted by Alberta Environment to conduct four reviews of complaints about coalbed methane activities affecting private water wells, to independently assess the scientific evidence and provide conclusions identifying whether or not the water wells had been impacted by coalbed methane or conventional oil/gas extraction activities.

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Groundwater protection and coalbed methane development

Description

This booklet offers information for landowners on the protection of groundwater resources and coaldbed methane development.

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Guidance document on management of methane gas adjacent to landfills

Description

This document was prepared to provide guidance to provincial and municipal levels of government, as well as land developers, on the management of methane gas around landfills. This document is an... More ≫

Description

This document was prepared to provide guidance to provincial and municipal levels of government, as well as land developers, on the management of methane gas around landfills. This document is an information document and was not intended for regulatory purposes. Guidance is based on a review of policies, guidelines, and regulations in other jurisdictions throughout North America.

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Landfill gas migration to Rundle Park Golf Course Clubhouse, Edmonton

Description

A subsurface investigation at a reclaimed sanitary landfill in Edmonton (Beverly) has revealed that combustible gases entering a golf course structure are generated from decomposing garbage in the... More ≫

Description

A subsurface investigation at a reclaimed sanitary landfill in Edmonton (Beverly) has revealed that combustible gases entering a golf course structure are generated from decomposing garbage in the old landfill. Gases containing methane up to a maximum of 83% by volume are present in the subsurface adjacent to the structure. A ventilation system beneath the building maintains the methane concentration at less than 50% of the lower explosive limit (2.5 volume percent). The atmosphere beneath the structure is monitored continuously for combustible gases; an automatic alarm system will be activated should methane concentration exceed 50% of the explosive rate. Based on the results of this investigation, it is apparent that a large reservoir of combustible gas is present within the reclaimed landfill site. It is probable that the methane monitoring/warning system, and the ventilation system must remain operative for a period in the order of 50 years or more.

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