Mining Publication: Methane Control on Longwalls with Cross-Measure Boreholes (Lower Kittanning Coalbed)

The cross-measure borehole technique has been shown by the Bureau of Mines to be an effective method of controlling methane liberated by fracturing the roof strata in longwall gobs where overburden is less than 750 ft (229 m). Boreholes are drilled into roof strata before mining operations affect the roof strata. Longwall mining fractures the roof strata and releases methane from source beds. Surface exhausters or vacuum pumps are used to draw the gas to the surface through an underground pipeline and vertical exhaust hole. The captured methane is thus prevented from entering the ventilation system of the mine. About 71 pct of the methane produced by longwall mining in the Lower Kittanning coalbed was captured by the cross-measure boreholes. Borehole spacing is an important factor affecting the performance of the technique. Interference tests and measurements of methane flows in return air indicate that borehole spacing in the Lower Kittanning coalbed should be limited to about 200 ft (61 m) except on the first 600 ft (183 m) of the longwall where spacing should be reduced to about 100 ft (30 m) to capture the large quantities of methane released when the first large roof fall occurs. Comparisons between measured and calculated gas pressure differentials on boreholes indicate borehole length can be reduced from 280 to 140 ft (85 to 43 m), which reduces drilling costs significantly. Additional experimentation is necessary to verify the calculations.