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In this work, we discuss the use of a local model developed previously [1] that describes the multiphase flow of gaseous species and liquid water within a single coal seam to investigate the gas production from a spatially heterogeneous production field. The field is located within the Surat Basin in Queensland, and is composed of a total of 80 production wells spread over a region covering approximately 36 km 2 . However, not every well is producing gas at any one time and so in this work we take a subset of 42 wells that are the top-producing wells in terms of total gas volume. We utilise a population of models approach to understand the variability in the underlying physical processes, and as a mechanism for dealing with the spatial heterogeneity that arises due to geological variation across the field. We are able to simultaneously obtain a family of parameter sets for each of these wells, in which each set in the family yields a predicted cumulative total gas production curve that matches the measured cumulative production curve for a given well to within an allowable limit of error. By analysing the results of this population of models approach we can identify the similarities between wells based on the parameter distributions, and understand the sensitivity of key model parameters. We show by example that high correlation between wells based on their parameter values may be an indicator of their similarity. A combinatorial sum of the predicted gas production is compared against the individual gas volumes (given in terms of percentage of the total volume) measured at the compression facility as a way of further calibrating a subpopulation of models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we discuss the development of a mathematical model to predict the shift in gas composition observed over time from a producing CSG (coal seam gas) well, and investigate the effect that physical properties of the coal seam have on gas production. A detailed (local) one-dimensional, two-scale mathematical model of a coal seam has been developed. The model describes the competitive adsorption and desorption of three gas species (CH 4 , CO 2 and N 2 ) within a microscopic, porous coal matrix structure. The (diffusive) flux of these gases between the coal matrices (microscale) and a cleat network (macroscale) is accounted for in the model. The cleat network is modelled as a one-dimensional, volume averaged, porous domain that extends radially from a central well. Diffusive and advective transport of the gases occurs within the cleat network, which also contains liquid water that can be advectively transported. The water and gas phases are assumed to be immiscible. The driving force for the advection in the gas and liquid phases is taken to be a pressure gradient with capillarity also accounted for. In addition, the relative permeabilities of the water and gas phases are considered as functions of the degree of water saturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]