Asia Pacific Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Forum 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 29, 2009 -- Over the past 2 decades, China’s CBM development has been hindered by the separate licensing policy of coal and CBM. Besides, the capital raising and investment environment of CBM industry is another issue impeding CBM industry growth.

The good news is now China government is determined to push for CBM industrialization, as reported by China Daily, August 24th, 2009. “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.

"The revision will be a piece of good news for CBM producers," Chen said.

What’s more, to elevate the interest level investing in CBM industry, China has temporarily waived its resource tax, Zhu Xiyang, law research associate at the China Coal Information Institute. (Quote Reuters, 21st August, 2009)

China National Oil and Gas Corporation (PetroChina) is one of the key pioneers here and have just announced that it will invest US$231 million (RMB 1.58 billion) to develop a coalbed methane (CBM) project in Hancheng in 2009-2010. Plans have been made to 327 wells, improve 1 CNG station and construct 5 more CNG stations by 2010.

"We are looking forward to the tough role the government will play in the coordination of coal miners and CBM producers," said Sun Maoyuan, executive chairman of China United Coalbed Methane Co Ltd (CUCBM). 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).

"As the country's major coal bed methane producer, the company is facing a good opportunity. It will accelerate gas production in the next few years by also working together with foreign companies," Sun said.
From CBM reserve exploitation to commercialization, the whole industry chain involving exploitation, production (drilling, well completion), utilization and distribution (Methane Combustion, LNG, CNG, and pipeline), distribution will benefit from the CBM development. The country has much to gain from investment and from other countries’ experience, advanced technology and professional services.

2nd Asia Pacific CBM Forum is the most timely and premier gathering for those interested in developing CBM business in Asia Pacific, particularly China, encouraging partnerships among regulators, investors, operators, technology and services providers to develop the booming CBM industry. Besides, an interesting site visit tour is scheduled to Hencheng to learn the CBM projects and investment opportunities, a city known as “Coal City” and famous for abundant CBM reserves.

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Thomas Bernavil at +65 6506 0964, email thomas.bernavil@alleventsgroup.com, or visit the Asia Pacific CBM Week website at www.alleventsgroup.com/cbm09.