Shanxi province has accelerated the development and exploitation of its coalbed methane resources, turning coalbed methane gas from waste to an efficient and clean energy source, said Wang Baoyu, general manager of Shanxi Gas Industry Group.

Wang was speaking at the 2019 Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum, held on Oct 22-24.

Coalbed methane -- a form of natural gas extracted from coal beds -- is an efficient and clean energy source. 

Experts say the heating value of 1 cubic meter of pure coalbed methane is equivalent to 1.22 kilograms of standard coal and 1.13 kg of gasoline. 

Shanxi is one of the provinces with the highest concentrations of coalbed methane resources and the largest development potential in China.

By the end of 2018, the accumulated proved reserves of coalbed methane gas in the province were 667.5 billion cu m, with trillions of cu m of coalbed methane still undeveloped.

The coalbed methane gas used to be discharged directly into the air due to limited mining and utilization technology and mining safety, according to Wang. 

However, after mining and treatment, coalbed methane now can be used as a power generation fuel, industrial fuel, vehicle fuel and domestic gas supply, which can generate huge economic benefits and avoid the air pollution caused by direct discharge.

To speed up coalbed methane development and promote the development of Shanxi's coalbed methane industry, Shanxi released the exploration and development plan for coalbed methane resources in August 2017 and sold exploration rights to 10 local mining regions with coalbed methane in November.

Accelerating the development of coalbed methane is becoming an important path for Shanxi province to build a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient modern energy supply system, according to the Shanxi Provincial Government. 

The amount of surface coalbed methane extraction in Shanxi reached 5.657 billion cu m in 2018, setting a record high. And the utilized amount was 5.394 billion cu m, accounting for 90 percent of the coalbed methane gas used in China last year. 

Industry observers said that in addition, the development of coalbed methane in Shanxi has gradually been commercialized. The construction of the coalbed methane industrial bases of the Qinshui Basin and in the eastern margin of Ordos Basin has been accelerated, with a complete coalbed methane industrial chain nearing completion.

The province is aiming to hit annual mining capacity of 20 billion cu m.

It is also aiming to develop an industrial chain -- ranging from coalbed methane exploration to commercialization -- with output value of around 100 billion yuan ($14.14 billion) by 2020, in line with the Shanxi Coalbed Methane Resources Exploration and Development Plan (2016-2020).