Abstract

The most critical factor in developing coalbed methane(CBM) reservoir is absolute permeability. Both productivity and economics of the CBM depend on the absolute permeability. The methods to estimate it are core analysis and well test. However, absolute permeability determined by core analysis cannot be a good representative of CBM reservoir. Therefore, it is generally estimated by well test. In this study, well test methods applicable of CBM reservoir were classified with their characteristics. Merits and demerits of each well tests were also analyzed. Based on those parameters, design considerations and procedures of well test were derived. After each well tests was performed, the procedure of well test interpretations to estimate reservoir properties such as absolute permeability and skin factor was presented.

Keywords coalbed methane, well test, slug test, injection falloff test, absolute permeability