Controls on Gas Domains and Production Behaviour in A High-Rank CSG Reservoir: Insights from Molecular and Isotopic Chemistry of Co-Produced Waters and Gases from the Bowen Basin, Australia

This paper uses hydrochemical and multi-isotope analysis to investigate geological controls on coal seam gas (CSG) saturation domains and gas well production performance in a high-rank (vitrinite reflectance (Rv) > 1.1) CSG field in the north-western Bowen Basin, Australia. New hydrochemical and stable isotope data were combined with existing geochemical datasets to refine hypotheses on the distribution and origins of CSG in two highly compartmentalized Permian coal seams. Stable isotopic results suggest that geographic variations in gas content, saturation and production reflect the extent of secondary microbial gas generation and retention as a function of hydrodynamics. δ13C and δ2H data support a gas mixing hypothesis with δ13C-CH4 increasing from secondary biogenic values to thermogenic values at depth (δ13C −62.2‰ to −46.3‰), whereas correlated methane and carbon dioxide carbon isotope compositions, Δ13C(CO2–CH4) values and δ13CDIC/alkalinity trends are largely consistent with microbial CO2 reduction. In addition, below 200 m, the majority of δ13C-CO2 values are positive (δ13C: −1.2‰ to 7.1‰) and δ13CDIC shows an erratic increase with depth for both seams that is characteristic of evolution via microbial activity. The progression of carbon isotope values along the CO2 reduction fractionation line suggests progressive depletion of the CO2 reservoir with increasing depth. Faults clearly segment coal seams into areas having significantly different production, with results of geochemical analysis suggesting that pooling of biogenic gas and waters and enhanced methanogenesis occur north of a faulted hinge zone.