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2011 International News
December 21, 2011– New EPA Report on China's Energy Markets
U.S. EPA's Coalbed Methane Outreach Program has published a report entitled, China's Energy Markets: Anhui, Chongqing, Henan and Guizhou Provinces, that features information resulting from energy market analyses performed during the course of several comprehensive coal mine methane (CMM) recovery and utilization feasibility studies conducted in China.
November 21, 2011– New GMI Coal Mine Methane Resources Posted
Coal Mine Methane Technology Database (PDF) (36 pp, 334K)
GMI Coal Subcommittee Flaring Policy White Paper (PDF) (8 pp, 104K)
October 27, 2011– EPA Announces New GMI Grant Solicitation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to support the Global Methane Initiative (GMI) by funding projects and activities that advance methane recovery and use as a clean energy source. The total estimated amount for this competitive funding opportunity is up to $5 million USD. EPA expects to award up to 35 cooperative agreements through this announcement, ranging in value from approximately $100,000 to $750,000 USD per award. The project period for awards resulting from this solicitation will begin in January 2012. Proposed project periods may be up to three years.
EPA seeks proposals from organizations including international governments, not-for-profit organizations, states, local governments, and universities. Successful proposals will support GMI's Country Action Plans and advance project development in the following Partner Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
In August 2010, EPA awarded funds for 27 grants in GMI countries. Projects receiving funding included feasibility studies, training and capacity building, and national methane inventories. Recipients were selected from a competitive field of applicants and will support the Initiative's goals of reducing methane emissions and advancing project development in 17 Partner Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Mexico, Mongolia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam. For more information on past grants awarded please see EPA's web page.
Proposals are due by 19 January 2012, 4:00 p.m. EST. All proposals, however transmitted, must be received by EPA by the closing date and time to receive consideration. See EPA's GMI Grant Solicitation web page for additional information on how to apply. Note that the application takes time to complete so please begin the process early!
September 22, 2011– Coal India Invites Mining Firms to Bid on 18 Closed Mines
Aiming to develop 18 abandoned underground mines, state run Coal India Limited (CIL) has again invited major firms to bid. The abandoned mines are owned by three subsidiaries of CIL: Eastern Coalfields, Bharat Coking Coal and Central Coalfields. "After a pre-notice inviting tender (NIT) meeting with the shortlisted parties, the government had approved the model NIT document. However, in the first round of limited tendering, none of the shortlisted parties responded. We are looking to go for a second round of tendering in another two months," said N C Jha, Chairman and Managing Director, Coal India Limited on September 20, 2011.
The 18 abandoned mine reserves account for around 1,600 million tons of coking and thermal coal. The mines were abandoned because of the lack of safety measures and technology. Meanwhile, the production of CIL has decreased by 16 million tons in September and August due to heavy rainfall in Orissa, Jharkhand and some mines of ECL in West Bengal.
August 4, 2011– Upcoming CMM Events and Opportunities
Call for Speakers: Seminar on CMM Capture and Use Techniques and Technologies in Donetsk, Ukraine
On 21 – 22 September 2011, the EPA, through the Global Methane Initiative (formerly the Methane to Markets Partnership), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), through its Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane, will hold a two-day event focusing on coal mine methane (CMM) capture and utilization in Ukraine. The event will be two-fold: 1) Session One will feature technical presentations focusing on international, state-of-the-art CMM recovery and utilization practices, advanced drilling techniques for pre-mine drainage, and ventilation air methane (VAM) utilization; and 2) In Session 2, experts from the UNECE Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane will provide information on international best practices for coal mine methane capture and utilization practices.
For more information, please contact: Galyna Fedorova (fedorova@arena-eco.com) of ARENA-ECO or Alison Delgado (alison.delgado@pnnl.gov) of PNNL.
Call for Papers: 11th International Symposium on CBM/CMM in China
Organized by the China Coal Information Institute, the 11th International Symposium on CBM/CMM will be held on 1-2 December, in Beijing, China. The 2-day-symposium will provide participants the opportunity to learn more about CBM and CMM as part of China’s Twelfth Five-Year Plan, showcase the latest theoretical and technological advances on CMM control and recovery, and meet with potential project partners and financiers.
For more information, please contact: CCII at http://www.nios.com.cn/c/index_en/coalbed/cbmcon/6174.html
USTDA Definitional Mission for Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan Gas Utilization and Coal Bed Methane
The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has released an RFP for a Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan Gas Utilization and CBM Definitional Mission to review coal mine methane, coal bed methane and gas utilization projects in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan for potential USTDA assistance.
For more information, please visit: http://www.ustda.gov/businessopps/ustdaopps.asp
July 28, 2011 – Global Methane Initiative Partnership-Wide Meeting: 12-14 October 2011, in Krakow, Poland
The Global Methane Initiative (GMI) Partnership-Wide Meeting 2011 will be held from 12-14 October 2011 in Krakow, Poland. We are grateful to the Government of Poland for offering to host this important meeting.
This event will include:
- Sector-Specific Site Tours
- Plenary Sessions
- Sector-Specific Technical and Policy Sessions (Agriculture, Coal, Landfills, Oil & Gas, and Wastewater)
- Steering Committee Meeting
- Sector-Specific Subcommittee Discussions
- Networking Opportunities
Online registration and a preliminary agenda are available on the Global Methane Initiative website.
July 7, 2011 – CMM Capture and Use Technologies Seminar & Best Practices Guidance for Effective Methane Drainage and Use Workshop in Donetsk, Ukraine
The US Environmental Protection Agency, through the Global Methane Initiative, will hold a Technical Seminar on State-of-the-Art Coal Mine Methane Capture and Use Technologies on September 21-22, 2011 in Donetsk, an important coal mining and economic region in eastern Ukraine. The seminar will bring together key experts in coal mine methane recovery and utilization to share information about modern drilling, ventilation air methane (VAM) oxidation technologies, and methane concentration systems. The seminar will build upon the success of last year's International Investment Forum: Funding of Coal Mine Methane Projects in Ukraine, which attracted more than 100 participants.
Also at this event, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), through its Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane, will feature a half-day workshop to promote the UNECE publication "Best Practices Guidance for Effective Methane Drainage and Use".
A draft agenda and solicitation for abstracts are forthcoming. For more information on the coal and coal mine methane sector of Ukraine, please visit the Global Methane Initiative Coal Mine Methane Country Profile for Ukraine. For more information on the UNECE Best Practices Guidance for Effective Methane Drainage and Use, please visit the UNECE website.
July 1, 2011 – Yacht Reduces Carbon Footprint with Coal Mine Methane Offsets
While most people do not consider yachting an eco-friendly experience, now it can be when you sail on a yacht by the name of Ethereal. Ethereal has top of the line energy efficiency and sound insulation, organic fabrics and an extraordinary level of technological innovation focused on energy conservation and sustainable, autonomous operation. With the ability to operate for extended periods of time by stored electrical power, Ethereal recently went a step "greener" too and became carbon neutral, reducing its carbon footprint to net zero by using a selection of high quality, guaranteed carbon offsets supplied by The CarbonNeutral Company.
A 190-foot super-yacht, Ethereal is considered one of the most efficient, eco-friendly super yachts afloat. In fact, Ethereal's carbon footprint for 2009 was even offset through the Tieling coal mine methane project in China, which captures coal mine methane – a potent greenhouse gas – and uses it as an energy source to supply gas to homes and local industry. Its 2010 footprint was offset through The CarbonNeutral Company's OneNature portfolio, made up of 100% renewable energy projects – not only solar, wind and hydro, but also biomass and re-use of waste products like biogas.
June 23, 2011 – New VCS Methodology for CBM
The Verified Carbon Standard approved the first VCS methodology to address methane seeping from coal bed methane deposits. VM0014 Interception and destruction of fugitive methane from Coal Bed Methane (CBM) seeps was developed by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund and WSP Environment and Energy and sets out specifications for quantifying the volume of GHG emissions avoided when methane seeping around coal bed methane deposits is captured and flared or used, instead of seeping directly into the atmosphere. The methodology was assessed and approved for use through the VCS Methodology Approval Process. More information on the VCS Methodology Approval Process .
The VCSA will host a webinar on Friday 1 July at 16:00GMT (9:00 San Francisco/12:00 Washington DC/13:00 Rio de Janeiro/17:00 London) to introduce stakeholders to the new methodology. To register for the session, please go to https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/484204638 . For more information about the webinar please email secretariat@v-c-s.org.
June 17, 2011 – Simultaneous Exploration of Coal and CBM in India
The Indian government will soon evolve a new system for offering hydrocarbon blocks to companies for simultaneous exploration of both coal and coal bed methane (a form of natural gas) which now fall under different ministries and regulatory regimes. This will be a new addition in the current government procedures under which coal blocks are offered for captive mining, liquefaction and gasification projects.
June 10, 2011 – U.S.-Poland Cooperation on Clean Energy
On May 28, 2011, the White House issued a statement: “President Obama and Prime Minister Tusk welcomed new momentum in the two countries' cooperation on energy and climate security, especially in view of Poland's forthcoming European Union presidency. They hope for intensified cooperation between the governments and private sectors in the development of unconventional sources of energy, including shale gas, renewable energy sources like wind and biomass, clean coal technologies, and civil nuclear power capability in Poland.”
The two leaders agreed to hold a high-level session of the U.S.-Poland Strategic Dialogue on clean and secure energy cooperation, aimed at enhancing energy security, building research and development cooperation on energy technologies, and expanding U.S. investments, exports, and participation in technology tenders in Poland. Warsaw's September 2011 International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) Ministerial, the next U.S.-EU Energy Council meeting, the upcoming meeting of the Global Methane Initiative's Steering Committee, and the fall meeting of the U.S.-Polish Business Roundtable provide further opportunities to advance common the United States and Poland's joint energy and energy security interests.
June 2, 2011 – Kazakhstan Workshop on Best Practice for Effective Methane Drainage and Use in Coal Mines
USEPA and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) sponsored a workshop on best practices for methane drainage and recovery at coal mines. The workshop, held in Karaganda, was well-attended by 40 people from the coal mining industry in Kazakhstan. The "best practices" were developed by an international group of technical experts under the auspices of the Methane to Markets Partnership (now the Global Methane Initiative) and the UNECE Sustainable Energy Division. This workshop is the second of three planned workshops; the first workshop was held in Beijing, China, in October 2010, and the next will be held in Donetsk, Ukraine September 2011. The presentations will be posted on the UNECE website soon. The Best Practices Guidance document is available in Russian (PDF, 107 pp, 2.6MB) .
May 10, 2011 – International Best Practices Workshop on CMM Recovery and Use
A workshop on International Best Practices for CMM Recovery and Use will be held June 13-15, 2011 in Kemerovo, Russia. The goal of the workshop is to share information on efficient technologies and modern equipment application for CMM recovery and use, thus working to advance CMM recovery and utilization project development in the country. Also, international experience of CMM recovery and utilization projects will be presented. Special attention will be given to the efficient application of mines' degasification and ventilation systems for CMM recovery and its further use.
Abstracts of up to 500 words in Russian or English can be sent by May 12, 2011 to the e-mail address below. Selection of articles will be announced on May 18, 2011. Complete articles of selected abstracts should be submitted in Russian or English by June 1, 2011.
For more information, please send an e-mail to: conf@uglemetan.ru
May 5, 2011 – Tender Issued for Five Indian CMM Blocks
The Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) has issued a notice inviting tenders for five Coal India Ltd. CMM blocks. Selection of technically and financially sound developer(s) from India and abroad will be made for commercial development of coal mine methane (CMM) projects in blocks within the following mining lease areas of BCCL/CCL:
- Moonidih CMM Block, BCCL
- Pootkee- Bulliary CMM Block, BCCL
- Mohuda Sub-basin CMM Block, BCCL
- North Kathara Phase I-III & Uchitdih CMM Block, CCL
- Asnapani- Jarangdih Shaft CMM Block, CCL
More information (PDF) (124 pp, 2.0MB)
April 21, 2011 – CMOP Webpage Updates
April 14, 2011 – 2011 Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Annual Conference
When: May 3-5, 2011
Where: Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta, Indonesia
More information (PDF) (1 pg, 5.5MB)
OPIC's Access to Opportunity in Southeast Asia conference is designed to identify investment opportunities in the region's emerging markets, encourage joint ventures between U.S. and regional businesses, and facilitate support for new investment in Southeast Asia. Conference attendees will also have access to a High-Speed Networking Session.
OPIC is the U.S. Government's development finance institution. It mobilizes private capital to help solve critical world challenges. OPIC achieves its mission by providing investors with financing, guarantees, political risk insurance, and support for private equity investment funds. Established as an agency of the U.S. Government in 1971, OPIC services are available for new and expanding business enterprises in more than 150 countries worldwide.
April 7, 2011 – Methane Project Financing Webinar
The Global Methane Initiative (GMI) invites you to join a webinar on 13 April 2011 at 10:00am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to learn about potential methane emission project financing options available from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). OPIC works with the U.S. private sector in over 150 countries to help businesses gain footholds in emerging markets, catalyzing revenues, jobs and growth opportunities.
With an increased focus on renewable energy, OPIC has recently launched a series of major initiatives, including a call for proposals from private equity funds through which OPIC will provide at least $300 million in financing to support investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the sustainable utilization of natural resources (water, agriculture, and forestry).
In addition to supporting private equity funds, OPIC offers a host of other risk mitigation financing vehicles including direct project finance, investment guarantees, and risk insurance. The Agency works with large corporate clients on complex structured deals and also maintains an active portfolio of direct lending in support of small and medium enterprises. Above and beyond OPIC's support for private equity funds, this year the Agency is on track to provide an additional nearly $500 million toward investments in the renewable resource sectors.
This webinar is targeted at corporations, investors, project developers, energy service companies, and financial institutions with interest in emerging market investment opportunities.
Based on an explicit and aggressive commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across OPIC's portfolio, and in the interest of facilitating implementation of methane emission reduction projects, OPIC and GMI welcome you to learn more about OPIC's financial products and to explore potential partnership opportunities.
Join us on 13 April 2011 at 10:00 am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) for a one hour webinar session co-hosted by EPA's Global Methane Initiative and John Morton, OPIC's Vice President of Investment Policy. Please RSVP to Andrew Shartzer (aShartzer@icfi.com) with your name, location, and affiliation.
About OPIC
OPIC is America' development finance institution. It mobilizes private capital to help solve critical world challenges. OPIC achieves its mission by providing investors with financing, guarantees, political risk insurance and support for private equity investment funds. Established as an agency of the U.S. Government in 1971, OPIC operates on a self-sustaining basis. To date, OPIC projects have supported $200 billion of investment in nearly 4,000 projects.
March 31, 2011 – Gas Power Plan for Closed Gedling Colliery Site in England
Alkane Energy, based in Edwinstowe, UK, has determined that methane trapped in the workings of the former Nottinghamshire coal mine could be used to create electricity. Alkane plans to extract the gas at the old Gedling colliery using a borehole. The firm, which has nine similar facilities in the region, said the gas would be burnt on site to create power for more than 5500 homes. The unmanned facility would have a lifespan of about 25 years. Neil Shailer, from Alkane Energy, said: "This mine does not have a vent on it and it makes sense to use it (the gas) to generate power rather than let it escape."
Alkane Energy has six gas extraction sites in Nottinghamshire, two in Derbyshire and one in West Yorkshire.
March 17, 2011 – UNECE Workshop on Best Practice Guidance for Effective Methane Drainage and Use in Coal Mines in Karaganda, Kazakhstan May 25, 2011
The CMM Best Practice Guidance Workshop will focus on problems that local mines are experiencing. It will be held at the Technopark UniScienTech in Karaganda. International and national experts will present topics from the "Best Practice Guidance for Effective Methane Drainage and Use in Coal Mines" (PDF, 86 pp, 1.9MB). The Guidance document is now also available in Russian and Chinese on the UNECE website .
More information on the workshop and registration form » (PDF, 3 pp, 52K)
February 2, 2011 – Updated Coal Mine Methane Country Profiles
On behalf of the Global Methane Initiative (formerly the Methane to Markets Partnership), EPA's Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP) has developed 37 comprehensive profiles that characterize the coal and coal mine methane sectors of 29 Global Methane Initiative partner countries and an additional eight coal-producing nations. The Executive Summary provides summary tables that include statistics on coal reserves, coal production, methane emissions, and CMM project activity. Access the Coal Mine Methane Country Profiles.
January 28, 2011 – New Documents Online from U.S. EPA Coalbed Methane Outreach Program
CMOP has launched five full-scale feasibility studies of coal mine methane recovery and utilization projects at Chinese coal mines. The studies assess the technical and economic viability of implementing methane recovery and utilization projects, with detailed findings and project implementation recommendations compiled in comprehensive final reports.
The latest study, completed by Raven Ridge Resources, is the Feasibility Study of CMM Utilization for Guizhou Nengfa Power Fuel Development Co., Ltd. Linhua Mine, located in Guizhou Province. This document is available in both English and Chinese.
In addition to this study, the Executive Summary of the Feasibility Study for CMM Drainage and Utilization at Liuzhuang Coal Mine, Huainan Coal Field, is now available in Chinese.
We have also updated our Ventilation Air Methane Utilization Technologies flyer, which can be found on the Ventilation Air Methane page.