United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air and Radiation 6207-J A publication of the Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP) www.epa.gov/coaibed Environmental Group Sues to Overturn West Elk Decision Authorizing Mine Expansion E PA-430-N-00-004 October 2008 COALBED METHA U.S. tPA Coalbed Methane An environmental group called on federal agencies to with- draw a permit for a Western Colorado coal mine expan- sion that they claim would waste 7 million cubic feet of methane daily and contribute to global warming. Methane - also known as natural gas - is over 20 times more po- tent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmos- phere, yet is also a valuable energy source. Lawsuit Challenges Federal Agencies In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Denver on October 7, 2008, WildEarth Guardians, represented by the public in- terest law firm Earthjustice, challenges the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Interior for allegedly violat- ing the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to con- sider alternatives to methane venting and to account for the impacts of methane venting on global warming of ex- panded activities at the West Elk Coal Mine. The lawsuit aims to overturn the November 8, 2007, decision authoriz- ing the mine to expand coal production and vent methane liberated from the mine's degasification system. West Elk Mine The West Elk Coal Mine, near Paonia in Gunnison County, Colorado, is operated by Mountain Coal Company, a sub- sidiary of Arch Coal, a multinational coal company based in St. Louis. Last July, the Forest Service and Interior De- partment permitted Arch Coal to expand the mine, drill 168 drainage wells to vent methane, and build nearly 23 miles see WEST ELK, page 6 Methane to Markets Update U.S. EPA funds 20 methane projects to support Methane to Markets Partnership Through the Methane to Markets Partnership (M2M), EPA is funding 20 new projects that will help 12 countries increase their capture and use of methane from the landfill, coal, agriculture, and oil and natural gas sectors. These projects will receive more than $4.5 million in M2M grants from EPA. In the coal sector, six projects were awarded, located in China, India, Mongolia, and Poland. These projects are as follows: • The Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs, a U.S.-based NGO, will embark upon a project titled, "The Methane Connection: Coal Mining Safety and Clean Power Production in China." This project will promote the expansion of mine-mouth power-generating capacity in Shanxi Province. • Virginia Tech University will conduct a project, "Development of Guidelines and Technical Evaluation for Degassing Coal Mine Methane in Advance of Mining to Reduce Methane Emissions in the Southern Shanxi Province of China." continued on page 2 In this issue... 1&6 Environmental Group Sues to Overturn West Elk Decision I-4 Methane to Markets Update 5 Coal Mine Methane Project Cash Flow Model 6 Asia Pacific Partnership meeting 7 China Symposium & Workshop 7 India CBM/CMM Clearinghouse 8-10 CBM/CMM News II-12 Upcoming Events 12 New Publications Access documents electronically from the "Documents, Tools, and Re sources" pages on our Web site at www.epa.gov/coalbed To subscribe to CBM Extra and CBM Notes, please go to our website www.epa.gov/coalbed/join/index.html and register for our mailing list. You will be added within two weeks. ------- October 2008 Page 2 COALBED METHANE EXTRA Methane to Markets Update continued from page 1 • The Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, based in India, will conduct a feasibility study for recovery and utilization of coal mine methane in Jharia, Bokaro, and Raniganj Coalfields in India. • The Mongolian Nature & Environmental Consortium will conduct a pre-feasibility study on methane recovery and utilization in Nalaikh Coal Mine in Mongolia. • The Poland-based Institute for Ecology of industrial Areas (IETU) will undertake an abandoned mine feasibility study and coal mine methane to liquefied natural gas assessment at Zory Coal Mine in Poland. • The Central Mining Institute of Katowice (Poland) will launch an investigation titled, "Detailed Characteristics of the Ventilation Air Methane Emissions from Gassy Underground Coal Mines in Poland." For more information, please see the EPA press release: http://vosemite.epa.aov/opa/adrnpress.nsf/ d0cf6618525a 9ef b85257359003ffaS3d/ f456b356ab414269852574dd0056a59e!OpenDocument For a full listing of the FY2008 grant recipients, see: http://www.epa.gov/methanetomarkets/qrants08.htm from the private sector, the government of Mongolia (Ministry of Fuel and Energy; Ministry of Nature and Environment), the city government of Ulaanbaatar, the World Bank, U.S. EPA, and U.S. consultants. Presentations focused on the opportunities and benefits of conducting a coal mine methane (CMM) recovery and use project at Nalaikh coal mine; barriers to project development; steps in project development; and legal and policy issues related to coal mine methane project development in Mongolia. In 2005, Mongolia produced 7.5 million metric tonnes of coal (nearly all from surface mines), ranking it 24th globally. However, Mongolia has extensive coal reserves (over 22 billion tonnes) that rank it ninth in the world. Future coal production is expected to rise sharply with demands for exports, especially from China. Mongolia's coal mine methane emissions in 2005 were an estimated 3.5 million cubic meters. There are currently no degasification or recovery and utilization projects in place in Mongolia. For more information on Mongolia's coal mine methane center, see its profile in the Methane to Markets Global Overview: http://www.methanetomarkets.ora/resources/coalmines/overview.htm Pre-feasibility study in Mongolia kicks off with workshop The Mongolian Nature & Environment Consortium (MNEC) held a successful workshop in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in September 2008 as the inaugural activity under its recently-awarded EPA grant (see above). Under this grant, MNEC plans to conduct a pre-feasibility study for recovery and utilization of methane at the Nalaikh Coal Mine in Mongolia. Nalaikh was the country's only underground mine that officially closed in 1990 after a fatai mine accident caused by a methane explosion. The Nalaikh mine is slated to be re-opened as an underground mine. As part of its efforts under the grant project, MNEC will explore the opportunities fordegasifying the mine and recovering and using the methane gas, and will prepare a pre-feasibility study. The workshop focused on the opportunities and challenges associated with methane recovery from coal mines in Mongolia. Participants included representatives Dr. M. Badarch, Genera! Director of the Mongolia Nature and Environment Consortium, visits the site of the Nalaikh Coal Mine near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Photo courtesy Ray Pilcher. continued on page 3 ------- October 2008 Page 3 COALBED METHANE EXTRA Methane to Markets Update continued from page 2 U.S. EPA Announces Feasibility Studies at Chinese Coal Mines U.S. EPA's Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP) is helping Chinese coai mines find ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by conducting three fuii-scale feasibility studies at the Liuzhuang mine in Anhui Province, a group of six mines in the Songzao coal basin in Chongqing, and a group of six mines in the Hebi region of Henan Province. The studies will assess the technical and economic viability of implementing methane recovery and utilization projects. The results will be summarized along with project implementation recommendations in three comprehensive final reports. promoting the cost-effective, near-term recovery and use of methane, while providing clean energy to markets around the world. Two of three sites understudy were featured as project opportunities at the 2007 Partnership Expo in Beijing. China. China is the world's leading emitter of coal mine methane. EPA's assistance is part of the U.S. commitment to help develop up to 15 coal mine methane (CMM) projects under the second U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED). The feasibility study for the Hebi mines is also considered a flagship project of the Coal Mining Task Force under the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate. A feasibility study is a critical step in the process of developing a coal mine methane recovery and use project. The analyses provided by CMOP technical contractors Advanced Resources International (ARI) and Raven Ridge Resources (RRR) will allow these sites to explore ways to capture and use their methane to benefit their local communities and the environment. For more information, see EPA's press release: http://vosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/ dcS7b08b5acd42bc852573c90044aQc4/877Sf30a3b0eahS9652574c8005 26ce2!OpenDocument Or http://www.epa.goV/cmop/newsroom/releases.html#eight Methane escaping from Shihao Mine (Chongqing) Photo courtesy Ray Pilcher All three studies support the goals of the Methane to Markets Partnership, a public/private partnership launched in 2004 that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by EPA joins forces with World Coal Institute and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to develop best practices for methane degasification at coal mines At the meeting of the Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane in October 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland, EPA, the World Coal Institute, and the UNECE announced the launching of a new initiative under the Methane to Markets Partnership. This joint effort aims to promote mine safety through more effective degasification and methane recovery and utilization. Through this project, a group of technical experts will develop a best practices guidance document related to mine methane degasification and methane recovery strategies. The document will be principles-based and will be peer reviewed before it is publicly launched, planned for 2010. What do you want to know about? If you have suggestions or requests for future CBM Extra content, please drop us a line. Franklin=Pamela@epa.gov or Somers.Jayne@epa.gov ------- PageT2008 Methane to Markets Technical Workshops, Site Tours and Business Meetings Hosted by: Mexico's Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT), and the State Government of Nuevo Leon 27-29 January 2009 Monterrey Mexico Join us for this exciting event! Sponsorship Opportunities 27 January • Tours of Active Projects in All Four Sectors (Agriculture, Landfill, Coal, and Oil & Gas) • Day One of Steering Committee Meeting 28 January • Technical Workshops Targeting All Sectors • Day Two of Steering Committee Meeting 29 January • Technical Subcommittee Meetings For All Sectors The event will take place at the Centra Internacional de Negocios Monterrey (CINTERMEX). Monterrey, Mexico's third-largest city and home to several of Mexico's top businesses, has abundant culture and nightlife, and countless attractions for out-of-town visitors. This event provides an excellent opportunity to increase your exposure to some of the world's most influential international methane policy makers. Sponsorships are available for USD$500.00 each. All sponsorship monies received will be used to help offset the cost of refreshments for these events, which cannot be paid using government funds. Sponsors benefits include: • FREE 3m x 3m exhibit booth space • Increased attendee exposure • Listing in the conference materials Contact: Methane to Markets Administrative Support Group at asg@methanetomarkets.org. For more information, log on to: www.methanetomarkets.org/events/2009/all/all-27jan09.htm ------- October 2008 Page 5 COALBED METHANE EXTRA Exciting New Tool Available to CMOP Community! CMOP is proud to announce the launch of a Coal Mine Methane Project Cash Flow Model. The web-based tool allows coal mine operators and owners, project develop- ers, equipment vendors, and other interested parties to evaluate the financial viability of recovering and utilizing CMM at a specific U.S. site in one of six ways: • The Coal Drying Scenario is based on retrofitting of an existing coal dryer at an on-site coal preparation plant to burn methane drained from the mine instead of, or in addition, to burning coal. • The Open-Flare and Closed-Flare Scenarios are based on installation of one or more flares to destroy drained methane. • The Mine Boilers Scenario is based on replacement of coal with drained methane as fuel in on-site boilers that provide space and/or water heating for mine facilities. • The On-Site Electricity Generation Scenario is based on use of drained methane to fire internal combustion engines that drive generators to make electricity for sale to the local power grid. • The Pipeline Gas Scenario is based on drained meth- ane that is stripped of contaminants, compressed, and injected into a nearby natural gas common carrier pipeline. The CMM Project Cash Flow Model allows a user to analyze the costs and benefits of developing any of the above six projects. As many variables as possible have been included in the model as default values that can be overridden. Some variables are case-specific and must be entered by the user. Examples of benefits considered include: • Energy sold to grid or pipeline • Avoided coal handling and use • Carbon Emission Reduction (CER) credits Examples of costs considered include: • Gas gathering and delivery system, including compression • End-use equipment capital cost • End-use equipment operating and management (O&M) cost • Interest, inflation, and discount rates • Royalty, severance tax, and negotiation fees • Optional - part or all of the estimated drainage well and blower development costs After making calculations based on the user inputs and preferences, the CMM Project Cash Flow Model displays its results on an attractive Preliminary Report that can be saved or printed for further reference. The report displays include: Cash flow bar graph Capital and operating costs Size of the project Sellable Carbon Emission Reduction (CER) credits Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) To try the CMM Project Cash Flow Model, visit the CMOP website. A detailed User's Guide accompanies the model to provide step-by-step instructions and to explain all assumptions. Assistance with operating and navigating the model is available for free! Contact us today with your questions, feedback, or sug- gestions for future enhancements. URL: http://www.epa.gov/cmop/resources/index.html email: Somers.Javne@epa.gov phone: (202) 343-9896 Coal Mine Methane Project Cash Flow Model 1 Sffeol ¦ mtAuit ted w r CaJi Prying JT Flimt - EfecbteJ X Flm- Open ¦( Met fiofcti O&'itt Qstintfy Goeftaofi - Fr/ft* f* hpcfcxa*! 2 Will f#rc«B mrthjw u Ih* |U' to Eh cub Bow untfoi Gos Collection Cni Aw«MbUHy Input* Ov*«uH Pi>»«nwlBn | Bum Oidwm* £ Deivrfy %«'»¦» Faamn Asmu Mi Ydan pflnj P*01 fl#H| PJM| TiKtwr^M «t ft hKUmlt ¦ I ""-I ' Preliminary Report ifdaiuiMiy Report im ttn «. Am :>MawVii*tniii| ------- October 2008 Page 6 COALBED METHANE EXTRA Coalbed Methane! West Elk from page 1 of new roads on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison national forests. Earlier this year, the Forest Service cited numerous legal and jurisdictional issues that make it difficult for the agency to ensure the methane is captured. Forest Ser- vice and Bureau of Land Management officials have cited safety and logistical concerns raised by having one com- pany drilling gas wells on the surface, while the mining company is working underground (Rocky Mountain News, January 21, 2008). "No Serious Review" WildEarth Guardians acknowledges that methane needs to be vented from a coal seam to protect miners from ex- plosions. But in a statement, the group said alternatives to capture the gas for use or, as a last resort, flaring "were not seriously reviewed by the agencies," even though some coal mines in the U.S. and the world safely capture and flare it. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, West Elk Mine was the third largest emitter of methane from an underground U.S. coal mine in 2006. See the Spring 2008 and Summer 2008 editions of the CBM Extra for background on expansion and degasifica- tion plans at the West Elk Mine, available at http://www.epa.aov/cmop/docs/summer 2008.pdf and http:// www.epa.Qov/cmop/docs/spring 2008.pdf To read the lawsuit visit: http://www.wildearthauardians.ora/Portals/0/downloads/lawsuit west- elk-coal-mine 10 08.pdf CMOP Contacts Address inquiries about the Coalbed Methane Extra or about the USEPA Coalbed Methane Outreach Program to: Pamela Franklin Phone: 202-343-9476 E-mail: franklin.pamela@epa.gov Jayne Somers Phone: 202-343-9896 E-mail: somers.jayne@epa gov Our mailing address is: US Environmental Protection Agency Coalbed Methane Outreach Program, 6207J 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20460 Asia Pacific Partnership Coal Mining Task Force Meeting CMOP staff represented EPA as part of the U.S. delegation to the Asia Pacific Partnership (APP) Coal Mining Task Force (CMTF) meeting, held September 20-21, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The meeting was well-attended by six of the seven partner countries (India, China, Japan, Australia, the United States and new APP member Canada). At the meeting, India in- troduced two new APP projects, including a proposal for coal mine ventilation air methane activities. The APP CMTF meeting was held in Las Vegas in order to give the delegations an opportunity to attend MINExpo 2008, which had a large number of exhibitors as well as technical sessions on mining and U.S. coal mine methane projects. Coal India Ltd., the world's largest coal company, held a special reception at MINExpo to provide information on their ambitious underground coal mine expansion plans. For more information on the APP meeting, go to: http://www.asiapacificpartnership.org/mininq expo htm Delegates to the Asia Pacific Partnership Coal Mining Task Force meeting visit the MinExpo exhibit in Las Vegas, Nevada, in September 2008 ------- October 2008 Page 7 COALBED METHANE EXTRA Announcement and Call for Papers: The 8th International Symposium on CBM/CMM and Carbon Trading in China & International Workshop on Mine Methane Emission Reduction in China December 4 & 5, 2008 Kunlun Hotel in Beijing, China Event hosted by The China Coal Information Institute (CCII) Topics to be addressed include technologies for meth- ane degasification and utilization, including ventilation air methane. The symposium is cosponsored by the China State Administration of Coal Mine Safety and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The one-day International Workshop on Mine Methane Emission Reduction in China on December 5 will be organized around a series of invited presenta- tions on issues affecting CMM project development in China, including study results from three major research projects funded by the Australia-China Bilateral Climate Change Partnership. The workshop is being organized by CCII and Australia's CSIRO. Registration for the Symposium is $400; there is not a separate fee for the workshop. For a full range of paper topics requested for submission to the Symposium, and for a registration form and to request a visa letter of invitation, please contact: Ms. Liu Xin, Mr. Zhao Guoquan, Mr. Li Hongjun, Ms. Huang Lan China Coal Information Institute Tel: 0086-10-8465-7948, 8465-7850 Fax: 0086-10-8465-7948, 8465-7806 Email: cbmc@coalinfo.net.cn or cbmc@public.bta.net.cn For more information about the workshop, please contact: Mr. Rhys Worrall CSIRO Exploration and Mining Tel: +61 7 3327 4176 Fax: +61 7 3327 4455 Email: rhvs.worrall@csiro.au All papers should be submitted to the organizing com- mittee via email or mail by October 30, 2008. India Coal Mine/Coalbed Methane (CMM/CBM) Clearinghouse Kick-Off Event November 17-18, 2008 Indian Institute of Coal Management, Ranchi Event hosted by Central Mine Planning & Design Institute What is this event? India ranks sixth globally in CMM/CBM emissions, pre- senting an enormous opportunity for CMM/CBM recov- ery and utilization. This event will launch the CMM/CBM Clearinghouse in India, the first official establishment of its kind in the country. The Clearinghouse will help develop and pro- mote this market, providing information on technical, economic, financial, and policy issues to potential in- vestors and service providers. The event will be attended by the CMM/CBM industry, financing organizations and business investors from the U.S. and India. Why should you participate? • Hear from high-level decision-makers from the Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. • Learn about financing opportunities, expertise and the latest CMM/CBM technologies available to help with developing the CMM/CBM market in India. • Learn about emerging CMM/CBM markets, their challenges and success in other countries. • Network and explore business prospects with service and technology providers from the CMM/ CBM industry in the U.S. and India. For more information or to register, go to: www.lndiaCBM-CMM.qovtools.us or email: CMMIndia@bcs-hq.com Sponsored by: U.S. Trade and Development Agency U.S. Environmental Protection Agency India Ministry of Coal Coal India Ltd. If you don't receive our weekly email updates, CBM Notes, go to www.epa.gov/coalbed/join/index.html to sign-up now! ------- October 2008 Page 8 COALBED METHANE EXTRA CBM/CMM News Guizhou CMM Recovery and Utiliza- tion Initiative Publishes Autumn Newsletter Please find below the link for the Au- tumn Issue 2008 of the "The Insider", the newsletter created by the Guizhou CMM Recovery and Utilization Initia- tive, an organization created to sup- port the use of coal mine methane gas as a clean energy resource. This work is part of a project funded by the EPA under a Methane to Markets Partner- ship grant. This issue includes several features: • Feature Article: Guizhou CMM Workshop Expands Spectrum for Localized CMM Development. This article contains summaries and main points of presentations at the workshop. • Initiative Presents at CDM Asia 2008. • CCII Symposium and Workshop Announcement. • Registration of Three CMM Utiliza- tion Projects. http://www.gzcmm.org/Newsletter/ Fall 2008 Chinese.pdf http://www.gzcmm.org/Newsletter/ Fall 2008 English.pdf New Abandoned Mine Methane Project at Cambria 33 Announced Econergy International announced a new coal mine methane capture pro- ject at the Cambria 33 abandoned mine in Pennsylvania, commissioned with Vessels Coal Gas, Inc (VCG) in May. Operated by VCG, the project is now delivering natural gas into the Dominion Peoples local distribution pipeline and will sell an estimated 300 million cubic feet of natural gas annu- ally over the project's 12 year life. The project will generate revenue from the sale of natural gas and from carbon credits issued as verified emissions reductions (VERs). At the time of the project announce- ment, Cambria 33 was a 50-50 joint venture between Econergy and VCG, with a total investment value of ap- proximately $6.5 million. Econergy has since been acquired by Suez En- ergy South America Participaes Ltda. (SESA). MSHA records indicate that there has been no coal production at Cambria No. 33 since 1995. The Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP) listed this mine in its 2004 Abandoned Coal Mine Database. fhttp://www.epa.gov/cmop/docs/ amm final report.pdfl. Econergy Press Release, May 20, 2008, www.econergy.com/docs/CambriaFINAL.pdf Large CMM Power Project Planned for Ukraine According to Business Wire, the JSC Coal Company Krasnoarmeiskaya Zapadnaya is the latest Ukrainian company to modernize its coal mining operations by signing a framework agreement with GE Energy. Under the agreement, JSC plans to install up to 20 of GE's Jenbacher coal mine gas-fueled cogeneration units. The engines will use the active mine's own methane gas to generate about 129 MW in total power output, cover- ing the mine's on-site power and heat requirements. The initiative will also reduce site emissions and support workplace safety initiatives. The pri- vately owned mine is located near the town of Krasnoarmeisk, in the coal-rich Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. One of Europe's leading coal- producing countries, Ukraine is a founding member of the Methane to Markets Partnership. When the Kras- noarmeiskaya Zapadnaya project reaches full operation, it is expected to potentially reduce the equivalent of more than two million tons C02 equivalent (MMTC02e) emissions per year, compared to venting the gas into the atmosphere - qualifying the plant for carbon emission trading certifi- cates. "Generating nearly 129 MWof power with mine gas could save about 122 million cubic meters of natural gas a year," Alex Pavlov, GE's Jenbacher gas engine Sales Manager for the Ukraine, noted. For the complete press release, go to http://www.genewscenter.com/Content/ Detail.asp?ReleaselD=4074&NewsArealD=- 2&MenuSearchCategorvlD= or visit GE's web site at http://www.ge.com. Jim Walter Resources Adds Second Longwall at Mine No. 7 Walter Industries, a leading producer and exporter of U.S. metallurgical coal, announced the successful start up of the second longwall at its Mine No. 7. This addition is expected to add approximately one million incremental coal tons of production output in 2008. Combined with recent acquisitions, Walter Industries expects to have approximately 11 million tons of total coal production capacity in 2010. According to USEPA, Jim Walter Resources operates three of the gassi- est underground coal mines in the U.S. Located in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, JWR's Blue Creek Nos. 4, 5, continued on page 9 ------- October 2008 Page 9 COALBED METHANE EXTRA CBM/CMM News continued from page 8 and 7 were the 11th, 29th, and 4th, gas- siest underground coal mines in 2006. JWR has been a leader in the devel- opment of coal mine methane recov- ery projects in the United States. The company's Blue Creek mines recov- ered and sold approximately 46.5 mil- lion cubic feet of gas per day in 2006. Walter Industries Press Release, Sep- tember 8 2008, http://investorrelations.walterind.com/ phoenix.zhtml?c=71978&p=irol- newsArticle&ID=1194637&hiahliaht= Significant Potential for CBM in Southern Africa Several significant coalbed methane (CBM) resources have been identified in southern Africa, as reported by Min- ing Weekly. South Africa's Waterberg area could contain up to one-trillion cubic feet (tcf) of CBM, which could provide for 5% of South Africa's liquid fuel needs for the next 15 years. Another promising CBM deposit is lo- cated in the central Kgalagadi of Bot- swana, where the government has claimed 62 tcf of proven resources, with an additional 90 tcf of possible CBM resources discovered. However, private industry sources estimate that only 3 to 4 tcf of the Botswana re- source is probable. Zimbabwe also has a probable CBM resource esti- mated between 1 to 2 tcf. Some infra- structure development is already being planned. The southern African region is ex- pected to need an additional 2- gigawatts of (GW) electricity genera- tion capacity every year through 2030. A 250 MW peaking power plant - to be fired by CBM - is slated for construc- tion in the first quarter of 2009, located near the village of Mmashoro, in cen- tral Botswana. Mining Weekly, September 9, 2008, http://www.mininaweeklv.com/article.php? a id=142733 Engineering News, August 15, 2008, http://www.enaineerinanews.co.za/article.php? a id=140026 lllawarra Coal's WestVAMP Project is a Winner lllawarra Coal's WestVAMP (ventilation air methane project) power plant in Appin, Australia, won an envi- ronmental award at the BHP Health, Safety, Environment and Community Awards. The awards recognize BHP Billiton employees who embody the company's values and go beyond what is required in their job to care for the health and safety of fellow employees, the environment, and the community. WestVAMP was one of eight projects nominated in the environment cate- gory. This project uses the extremely dilute methane in the ventilation air from West Cliff mine to generate 6 MW of electricity. Wollondilly Advertiser, September 30, 2008, http://wollondillv.vourauide.com.au/news/local/ news/general/clean-coal-operator-is-a- winner/1320450.aspx# MEGTEC, Equity Firm Buy Company from Owner MEGTEC Systems managers and a private equity firm have bought the company from Sequa Corp. Hamilton Robinson LLC of Stamford, Connecti- cut, joined with management and co- investors to buy the company, which provides printing, web coating, pack- aging, wood products and other proc- ess and energy market services. The company, which reported $250 million in revenue in 2007, will be a stand-alone company with no major change in management structure or day-to-day operations. In May 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented a Climate Protection Award to MEGTEC in recognition of its technology that enables coal mine ventilation air meth- ane to be used as a primary energy- producing source and its efforts to pro- mote recovery and mitigation of venti- lation air methane. MEGTEC helped develop the world's first power plant that generates elec- tricity using coal mine ventilation-air methane as primary fuel at the West Cliff Colliery mine in Appin, New South Wales, Australia. MEGTEC Systems Press Release, September 24, 2008 http://www.meatec.com/documents/News% 20release Seaua%20sells%20MEGTEC% 20Svstems%20to%20Hamilton%20Robinson% 20Capital%20Partners ENGLISH.pdf ConocoPhillips and Origin Agree on Coalbed Methane Venture According to the Financial Times, ConocoPhillips plans to invest up to A$9.6 billion (US$7.8 bn) to jointly de- velop coal seam methane gas assets with Origin Energy, the Australian en- ergy group. ConocoPhillips and Origin plan to convert the gas extracted from coal bed methane into LNG before it is exported from the Australian state of Queensland to Asia. Financial Times, September 9, 2008 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/66d740f8-7e08-11 dd- bdbd-000077b07658.html?nclick check=1 CNX Gas Named 2008 Platts Global Energy Awards Finalist: Hydrocarbon Producer of the Year CNX Gas has been named a finalist for the 2008 Platts Global Energy continued on page 10 ------- October 2008 Page 10 K\. COALBED METHANE EXTRA Coalbed Methane! CBM/CMM News continued from page 9 Awards in the category "Hydrocarbon Producer of the Year." 2008 marks the 10th anniversary of the Platts Global Energy Awards which annually recog- nize outstanding achievement and vision in the global energy industry. The company and individual winners will be announced and honored at an event to be held on December 3, 2008 in New York City. According to USEPA, CNX Gas Corporation recov- ers methane from two of the gassiest mines in the southwestern region of Virginia: Buchanan and VP 8. Additionally, in early 2007, CNX Gas - in partnership with CONSOL Energy and Ingersoll Rand Energy Systems - successfully demonstrated electricity generation by a microturbine fueled by unprocessed CMM at Bailey mine in Pennsylvania. For further information, see the Spring 2007 edition of the Coalbed Methane Extra at: http://www.epa.gov/cmop/docs/spring 20Q7.pdf CNX Gas Corporation Press Release, October 2, 2008, http ://www. marketwatch ,co m/ne ws/sto rv/cnx- aas-named-2008-Diatts/storv.aspx?auid=% 7B95ACA2B5-29F3-4F3E-9895- 0F023E6199EE%7D&dist=hppr 21 World Mining Congress & Expo The 21st World Mining Congress & Expo was held September 7-12, 2008 in Crakow and Sosnowiec, Poland. The Congress was well-attended by approximately 900 participants from around the world and included techni- cal sessions at Jagiellonian University and a large exposition at Expo Silesia. Poland has a long mining tradition and was the organizer of the first Congress 50 years ago in Warsaw. The World Mining Congress takes place every 2- 3 years and the next Congress will be held in Istanbul, Turkey during 2011. For more information on the 21st Con- gress, go to: http://www.wmc-expo2008.ora/en/home Participants at the 21st World Mining Congress & Expo, Poland As part of the Congress technical pro- gram, CMOP staff chaired a session titled "Underground Mine Environment: Methane Treatment" and gave a pres- entation on Methane to Markets activi- ties. In addition, CMOP met with the AGH University of Science and Tech- nology, the Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas (IETU) and Central Mining Institute. CMOP Exhibits at MINExpo 2008 CMOP participated in MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® 2008, held Sept 22-24 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event, sponsored by the National Min- ing Association (NMA), is one of the largest of its' kind in the world. MINExpo hosted more than 1,200 exhibitors and 35,000 attendees, dis- playing the latest technology, equip- ment, parts and services used in the mining of coal, metallic ores, and other minerals. Technical presentations on coal mine methane were given by Jim Walter Resources, CONSOL Energy, and the Verdeo Group. The presentations can be obtained from the website: http://www..minexpo com/sessions.shtm CMOP displayed Methane to Market materials, U.S. CMM project opportu- nities, and answered questions from a diverse array of attendees including miners, equipment providers, govern- ment participants from the US and abroad, and those involved in the car- bon market. Countless contacts were made and a vast, unique audience was reached, providing an excellent outreach oppor- tunity. MINExpo is held every four years and will take place again in 2012. Additional information about MINExpo 2008 (including videos) can be found at www.minexpo.com ------- October 2008 Page 11 COALBED METHANE EXTRA Cpalhed Methane Upcoming CBM/CMM Events China Coal Expo 2008 2008 Unconventional Gas and Coal Bed 4-7 November 2008 Methane Conference National Agriculture Exhibition Center 20-21 November 2008 Beijing, China JW Marriot Denver at Cherry Creek Phone: +852 2881 5889 Denver, Colorado Fax: +852 2890 2657 Contact: Miles Markovic Email: info@together-expo.com Phone: 416-777-2020 ext. 6261 Website: www.chinacoalexpo.com/ The 8th International Symposium on CBM/CMM 9th International Mine Ventilation Congress and Carbon Trading in China 10-13 November 2009 4 December 2008 Hotel Crowne Plaza Kunlun Hotel New Delhi, India Beijing, China Contact: Prof. D.C. Panigrahi Contacts: Ms. Liu Xin, Mr. Zhao Guoquan, Mr. Li Hongjun, Ms. Phone: +91-326-2235235/2296628 Huang Lan Email: dc Daniarahi(®vahoo.co.in or info(3>9thimvc.ora China Coal Information Institute Website: www.9thimvc.ora Phone: 0086-10-84657948, 84657850 Email: cbmc@coalinfo.net.cn orcbmc@public.bta.net.cn Website: www.coalinfo.net.cn/coalbed/ 9th International Conference on Greenhouse meetina/20080902/20080902e. htm Gas Control Technologies 16-20 November 2008 (See announcement on page 7.) The Omni Shoreham Hotel In conjunction with: Washington, DC International Workshop on Mine Methane Phone: 617-258-0307 Emission Reduction in China Fax: 617-253-8013 5 December 2008 Email: ghgt9@mit.edu Kunlun Hotel Website: mit.edu/ghgt9 Beijing, China Contact information: see above India CMM/CBM Clearinghouse Kick-off Event Sponsored by USTDA, USEPA, and the India Ministry of Coal 2nd Annual China Coal Summit 2008 17-18 November 2008 11-12 December 2008 Indian Institute of Coal Management, Ranchi, India Beijing China Website: www.lndiaCBM-CMM.aovtools.us Website: httD://www.coalsummit.com/ Coal Tech Asia 2008 Methane to Markets Steering Committee, 18-20 November 2008 Subcommittee meeting, and technical work- New Otani Chang Fu Gong Hotel shops Beijing, China 26 - 30 January 2009 Website: www.coaltechasia.com Guadalajara, Mexico Website: www.methanetomarkets.org 10th Annual Unconventional Gas Conference 19-21 November 2008 Telus Convention Centre Calgary, Alberta Website: www.csug.ca/dl/RegistrationBrochure2008.pdf continued on page 12 ------- October 2008 Page 12 COALBED METHANE EXTRA Cpalhed Methane Upcoming CBM/CMM Events continued from page 11 Ventilation and Heat Management in Underground Mines Professional Development Course Presented by Dr. Roy Moreby 9-13 February 2009 Laurentian University Sudbury, Ontario, Canada Email: info@mirarco.org Website: www.mirarco.orq/courses/2008/ Feb9thMineVentPoster%20latest2.pdf Asia CBM Forum 2009 23 - 26 February 2009 Jakarta, Indonesia Contact: Rex Ian Sayson Phone: +65 6506 0984 Email: rex@.alleventsqroup.com Website: http://www.alleventsaroup.com/cbm/ 2nd CBM/CMM Conference 10-11 March 2009 Hotel Mulia Jakarta, Indonesia Contact: Li Ming Phone: 603-2162-7322 Email: limina@cmtsp.com.sa Power, Mineral Resources, and Sustainable Development Organized by Academy of Mining Sciences of Russia and UNESCO May 13- 14, 2009 UNESCO 7 Place Fontenoy, Hall IV Paris, France Contact: Mrs. Liudmila Silina Email: liudmila.silina@mail.ru Fifth International Symposium on Non-C02 Greenhouse Gases (NCGG-5) 30 June - 3 July, 2009 Wageningen, The Netherlands Website: www.ncqq5.org New Publications New and Updated EPA Publications Updated: Identifying Opportunities for Methane Recovery at US Coal Mines: Profiles of Selected Gassy Underground Coal Mines, 2002 - 2006 http://www.epa.qov/cmop/docs/profiles 2008 final.pdf New: Abandoned Coal Mine Methane Opportunities Database http://www.epa.gov/cmop/docs/amm opportunities database.pdf Updated Methane to Markets Publications Coal Mine Methane Global Overview (Methane to Markets Partnership): http://www.methanetomarkets.org/resources/coalmines/ overview.htm www.epa.gov/coalbed www.methanetomarkets.org ------- |