Ulaanbaatar. On June 15th and 16th, Australia Mongolia Extractives Program Phase 2 (AMEP 2) with the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industries (MMHI) and Mineral Resource and Petroleum Authority of Mongolia (MRPAM) held a two-day event focused on “Mongolia’s Coalbed Methane Prospects and Potentials” that included a specialized one-day training on “Geology of Coalbed Methane, Prospecting, Reserve Classification and Assessment.” This two-day event aimed to bring together interested coalbed methane (CBM) professionals to share key information and perspectives on Mongolia’s newest commodities of interest and development.  The two-day event saw over 100 participants representing professionals from the MRPAM, the National Geological Society (NGS), the Mongolian University of Science and Technology and more. 

The first day focused on sharing key findings on CBM prospecting and potential in Mongolia, from identifying sector information changes, to accessing information, and to ensuring quality geo-science information. This work has been commenced and supported by AMEP 2 since 2019.  Of note was key information provided on three existing CBM basins and some 15 potential sites.  As pointed out by AMEP 2 experts, namely Mr. Tim Moore, Managing Director of Cipher Consulting and Adjunct Associate Professor of the Queensland University of Technology, Mr. Ryan Morris also of Cipher Consulting, and Dr. Erdentsogt, B., the Dean of the Geology and Geophysics Department at the National University of Mongolia.  CBM has key potential for downstream development and is an important transitional energy resource and an investment catalyst. 

Experts discussed their use of the Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS) methodology and its application as per international quality assurance standards.  AMEP 2 Team Leader Rena Guenduez and leading experts conducted an open forum discussion amongst seminar participants on CBM cases from Australia and Mongolia, highlighting hydrogeology and water issues related to CBM resources, prospecting analysis’ goals, scope, classification, methods, results, and recommendations. 

The second day session offered an advanced-level training for Mongolian geologists, researchers, and professors built on the previous day’s discussions, with a focus on the “Geology of Coalbed Methane, Prospecting, Reserve Classification, and Assessment.”  Leading in the training was Dr. Tim Moore and Mr. Ryan Morris, who informed participants on the origins of CBM, aspects of geological modeling of non-traditional oil reserves, mechanisms to measure, structure and collect CBM data according to international best practices and standards. Participants had ample time to engage in lively discussions and to network with other key experts within Mongolia and abroad to share experiences and information.

It is hoped that this event will further continue research on Mongolia’s CBM sector and to peak investor interest as a transitional alternative towards green energy efficiency. 

You can download all the seminar and training PowerPoint presentations by clicking on each of the title link below. 

June 15th Seminar Presentations: 
1. Mongolia CBM Resources: Hydrogeology and Water. Presentation 
2. CBM Resources of Mongolia: Goals, Scope, Classification. Presentation
3. CBM Resources of Mongolia: Methods, Results, Recommendations. Presentation

June 16th Advanced Training for CBM Geologists: 
1. Origin of Reservoir: Peat to Pores. Presentation
2. Unconventional Hydrocarbons and Geological Models. Presentation.