Coal bed methane is a natural gas located in coal seams, which is extracted without mining of coal. The coal seams may be mined in the future depending on geological conditions, technical and economic feasibility.
Main sources of coal seams methane of Ukraine are located in Donetsk and Lviv-Volyn coal basins. Total forecast reserves of coal seams methane in Ukraine
Potential coal bed methane extraction is estimated at the level of 2-12 billions cubic meters per year.
Potential cost of coal bed methane extraction, estimated by Baker Tilly,
Coal bed methane extraction projects (upfront coal beds degassing) in Ukraine
Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Gazprom, TNK-BP, EuroGas Ukraine, Total, Marathon Oil, Iskander Energy have all shown interest towards coal bed methane extraction projects in Ukraine in different times.
In July 2010 Canadian 3P International Energy by acquiring Galizien Energy company has
In August 2013
According to Deputy General Director of PJSC “Mine named after A.F.Zasyadko” Borys Bokiy, coal bed methane is currently not extracted in Ukraine, but utilizing modern hydrofracking technologies could probably make industrial coal bed methane extraction a reality in the near future. PJSC “Mine named after A.F.Zasyadko” is the largest producer of coal mine methane extracted during mines degassation (CMM). In 2010 Ukraine has produced 52,3 million cubic meters of coal mine methane. The largest producers include already mentioned Mine named after A.F.Zasyadko, Coal Company Pokrovs’ke from DonetskSteel group of companies and DTEK Mine Komosomolets Donbassa.
Ukraine provides state support to coal seams gas extraction. In particular, profit from economic activities foreseeing extraction and utilization of coal seams gas (methane) is exempted from profit tax till 2020 according to the Law of Ukraine “