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Geological, Geochemical, and Microbial Factors Affecting Coalbed Methane

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Hydrocarbons, Oils and Lipids: Diversity, Origin, Chemistry and Fate

Abstract

Coalbed methane (CBM) is an unconventional resource for natural gas production. Years of research have clearly demonstrated that, in addition to thermogenically produced CBM, microorganisms indigenous to the coal seams are capable of converting some of the hydrocarbon portion of the coal to methane. CBM production is, therefore, not only dependent on the types of microbes present and their metabolic activities but also on the physicochemical properties of the coal itself, such as depositional environments and history and chemical makeup. Understanding the geological, geochemical, and microbial factors affecting CBM formation can lead to the development of effective processes to enhance methane production rates and yields.

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Correspondence to Curtis Evans .

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Evans, C., Budwill, K., J. Whiticar, M. (2020). Geological, Geochemical, and Microbial Factors Affecting Coalbed Methane. In: Wilkes, H. (eds) Hydrocarbons, Oils and Lipids: Diversity, Origin, Chemistry and Fate. Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90569-3_21

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