Shanxi Sets New Record for Coalbed Methane Production in 2025

Shanxi Province achieved a milestone in 2024 as its coalbed methane (CBM) production reached 13.43 billion cubic meters, a historic high and accounting for approximately 80.6% of the national total, according to data released by the Shanxi Provincial Bureau of Statistics on January 21.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

Shanxi Province achieved a milestone in 2024 as its coalbed methane (CBM) production reached 13.43 billion cubic meters, a historic high and accounting for approximately 80.6% of the national total, according to data released by the Shanxi Provincial Bureau of Statistics on January 21.

Home to abundant CBM resources, Shanxi boasts estimated reserves of 83.1 trillion cubic meters at depths of less than 2,000 meters. In the past, insufficient extraction and utilization led to large-scale venting of methane to speed up coal mining. However, in recent years, Shanxi has adopted an innovative "gas-first, coal-later" approach, integrating gas and coal extraction. This model not only enhances safety and efficiency but also transforms previously wasted resources into economic value, propelling the large-scale development of CBM.

A representative from the Oil and Gas Division of the Shanxi Provincial Energy Administration highlighted the sector's rapid growth. Shanxi's CBM output was just 1.9 billion cubic meters in 2007 but soared to 13.43 billion cubic meters by 2024, capturing 80.6% of the national output. This remarkable progress reflects the province’s breakthroughs in key extraction technologies and its commitment to advancing the CBM industry sustainably and efficiently.

Over decades of innovation, Shanxi has developed a comprehensive technological system encompassing drilling, fracturing, drainage, and gas collection. The province has also established a full CBM industrial chain, integrating exploration, extraction, liquefaction, compression, transportation, power generation, and multi-faceted utilization. Looking forward, Shanxi plans to sustain its momentum by implementing targeted strategies tailored to specific regions. These include stabilizing production in established CBM zones, accelerating output in tight gas fields, fast-tracking development in untapped proven reserves, and initiating production in newly auctioned blocks. The province is committed to driving further growth in CBM production while maximizing resource utilization.