PRODUÇÃO DE METANO DE CARVÃO MINERAL EM BACIAS DE CARVÃO MOÇAMBICANAS: UMA ENERGIA ALTERNATIVA VIÁVEL

Abstract

The present study analyzed the potential of coalbed methane (CBM) generation as a viable alternative energy source of production in the Mozambican coal basins considering the geology, the properties of the coal and the respective potentialities. It should be noted that one of the most important coal bearing sedimentary successions in the world occurs in the Moatize-Minjova coal basin, Mozambique. In the analysis of the rank of the types of coal suitable for the production of CBM, the most recommended are the coal or bituminous type that has high levels of CO2, high calorific value and higher concentration of gas, however, this quality is found in the Moatize-Minjova coal basin. Exploration well drilling data collected by the company ETA STAR Mozambique and analyzed by specific laboratory tests, such as: physical-chemical, mineralogical, geochemical and petrography analyzes, facilitated the knowledge of the geology and the economic viability of the reservoir with a view to determination of the quality and volume of gas contained in the layers of coal as a viable source of energy in the country. Thus, it is anticipated that the result of the pioneer study carried out by the Company ETA STAR Mozambique indicates that this coal basin of Moatize has qualities to generate the coalbed methane. It is also emphasized that the other five coal basins present in the region due to the presented geological characteristics probably have an economically feasible potential for production. In this way, the exploration of the CBM would be a preponderant solution to answer the problematic of the energy demand for the national consumption. However, in order to exploit the CBM's potential in the country, the Government of Mozambique could introduce a specific CBM policy to legally guide the research, exploration, production and consumption of methane gas contained in the coal layers Mozambican.