PGNiG focuses on the recovery of methane from coal seams – Republic

This year, the Polish Oil and Gas Company will release much less on exploration and production of oil and gas than originally estimated.

– The budget was set at 1.7 billion zł, but we had to reduce it to 1 1 billion zł – says Piotr Wozniak, president of PGNiG. He explained that the board had to verify the value of the investment, because he found a big mess in the plans. Only after a few months was able to organize them, which means that it is not possible to perform all anticipated for this year of work.

One of the areas in which the company will invest, are the exploration and extraction of methane from coal seams. PGNiG and the Polish Geological Institute was joined to the International Centre of Excellence (MCD), which is to support the development of new methods for the recovery and use of methane as an energy source. It is an institution operating under the auspices of the UN, which is to start this year in the Central Mining Institute.

– Methane is a valuable source of energy, which in large part to waste in the operation of coal mines. His recovery should be at a much higher level – said Wozniak. He added that thanks to the cooperation with the MCD should lead to the development of new technologies to increase the efficiency of methane drainage of mines, but also commercial obtaining methane from coal seams.

Soon PGNiG will start the so-called. hydraulic fracturing in boreholes in coal seams in Gilowice in Upper Silesia. The company will be the first attempt to extract methane from coal seams. Necessary expenses of its executives did not provide. If the tests are successful, the company will perform in Gilowice further exploratory drilling. The aim of the present is primarily to acquire the knowledge and experience necessary for obtaining methane from yet unexploited coal deposits.