The Langham Hong Kong
Coal-bed methane (CBM) projects and investments are surging in Asia, with China at the forefront as it strives to find ways of satisfying its prodigious appetite for energy.
According to reports in China Daily on August 24th 2009, China’s Coal Bed Methane sector is booming, thanks to the Chinese government push for CBM industrialization. “The government will revise the existing Mineral Resources Law, which will cover a change of licensing for CBM production and coal mining," said Chen Xianda, Deputy Director of the department of geological perambulation with the Ministry of Land and Resources, who further adds that "The revision will be a piece of good news for CBM producers". In a bid to increase interest level investing in its CBM industry, Reuters quoted Zhu XiYang, a law research associate at the China Coal Information Institute who said China has temporarily waived its resource tax.
Investment is booming in China. Shanghai Securities News reported on 3 November, that China United Coalbed Methane Co plans to invest at least 2 billion yuan ($293 million) to tap into the country's rich coalbed methane resources. The company now operates more than 1,440 CBM drainage wells in 15 provinces with an exploration investment of US$660 million (4.5 billion RMB). Foreign firms like Far East Energy Corporation (FEEC) plan to sell gas supplies in 2010 from its Shouyang CBM block.
India too is getting its act together to expand the CBM industry, given its huge energy demand with nearby consuming markets for gas in and around coal fields. The country is set to pump 7 million cubic meters a day of CBM by 2013, as three more blocks go into commercial production. S.K. Singh, General Manager of Essar Exploration & Production India Ltd said in an interview with Reuters"India is richly endowed with coal and lignite resources in the Gondwana and tertiary basins." And Essar plans to spend $350 million in the next 3-4 years to on 500 CBM wells, with gas sales projected to start in December 2009.
In coal-rich Indonesia, the outlook sparkles with Jakarta pinning its hopes on CBM as one of the means to curb costly oil imports amid dwindling reserves of crude. Indonesia's Ephindo and its partners will begin gas sales from their CBM blocks in 2011 according to recent reports.
Further Growth in Asia’s nascent CBM energy industry now hinges on stakeholders, including policy makers, top industry decision makers and industry experts shedding light on the latest CBM regulations, investments opportunities and technological developments.
The 3rd CBM World conference, which meets in Hong Kong on 10-11 June 2010, will provide a platform for this essential interaction.
The conference will explore 2 key themes,“Overcoming Hurdles & Developing Technology for CBM Production" and"Recent regulations and policy incentives to boost CBM development”, providing essential updates from China, Indonesia and India as well as established CBM giant Australia.
CMT’s CBM World conferences are widely attended by global CBM stakeholders seeking timely updates on the industry, and new business opportunities through networking with government permit issuers, leading technology providers, coal mining companies, gasexploration companies, mining consultants, and relevant industry leaders.
If you are keen on participating as delegates, media partners, exhibitors and / or sponsors at the 3rd CBM World conference, submit your registrations, enquiries and proposals to Ms. Nadia Albahar at +65 6346 9114 or email her at nadia@cmtsp.com.sg.
We are currently finalizing the program details and will share more updates soon, so do visit this page again very soon.