CBM Desorption Model and Stages Based on a Natural Desorption Experiment

Coalbed methane (CBM) desorption modeling is critical for understanding CBM desorption mechanisms and objectively analyzing the production characteristics of CBM wells. According to the CBM natural desorption experimental data of 64 coal samples taken from the Qinshui Basin, we established a CBM desorption model, quantitatively identified the CBM desorption stages, and discussed the relationship between CBM desorption characteristics and well productivity. The results indicated a very significant functional relationship between the CBM natural desorption time and cumulative desorption quantity, which could be accurately described by the model V = aLt/(t + bL ). On the basis of this model and the numerical description of the desorption data, the CBM natural desorption process was divided into four stages: the desorption startup stage, desorption sensitive stage, desorption steady stage, and desorption decay stage. As indicated by analogical reasoning of the CBM well production process, the desorption startup stage corresponded to the drainage-based pressure drop stage, the desorption sensitive and steady stages corresponded to the steady production stage, and the desorption decay stage corresponded to the production declining stage. The CBM adsorption time exponentially decreased with the increase in the average CBM desorption rate and with the increase in the CBM gas content and vitrinite/inertinite ratio. Furthermore, within a certain range of desorption pressure, a high ratio between the adsorption time and gas content corresponded to the extension of the steady production stage of CBM wells, whereas higher or lower ratios were adverse to steady production.