Formation waters from coalbed methane wells. hydrocarbon metagenome

Biogenic methane is an important contributor to fossil coal seam gas (CSG) resources, and extant methanogens have the potential to generate future resources if subsurface ground conditions optimum to their cultivation can be determined (microbially enhanced coalbed methane). This project aims to use coal seams in the Surat Basin as in situ bioreactors using indigenous microorganisms grown under optimized conditions to replenish methane drained during CSG production. The Surat Basin has significant biogenic methane resources and preliminary trials suggest that it also has significant bioreactor potential.