Coalbed Methane (Coal Mine Gas) Emission Standard (China)
On 1 December 2024, China’s Ministry of Ecology and the Environment issued a new air pollution standard entitled “Coalbed Methane (Coal Mine Gas) Emission Standard (GB 21522-2024)”. The new standard, which was issued under the authority of China’s Environmental Protection Law and China’s Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law, replaces the previous “Coalbed Methane (Coal Mine Gas) Emission Standard (Interim) (GB 21522-2008)” issued in 2008. The updated standard establishes three sets of requirements with respect to coalbed methane:
- Extraction Requirements: The updated standard specifies that gas extraction systems in underground coal mines must be implemented in accordance with China’s Coal Mine Gas Extraction Engineering Design Standard. The updated standard further specifies that a gas extraction system can only be operated if: (1) the volume of gas extraction is more than 2 m³/min; and (2) the coal mine is reliable and rich in gas reserves, and gas extraction is expected to last more than 5 years.
- Emission Requirements: The updated standard broadens the previous emission control requirements for underground coal mines and surface coalbed methane development systems. Under the revised standard, surface coalbed methane development systems are prohibited from emitting coalbed methane into the atmosphere. As for underground coal mines, the updated standard prohibits emissions in two situations: (1) the gas extracted has a high methane concentration (meaning methane concentration is equal to or greater than 30%); or (2) the gas extracted has a methane concentration of 8% or more and the volume of extracted gas is superior or equal to 10 m³/min. These revised emission requirements will apply starting on 1 April 2025 for newly-constructed underground coal mines and surface coalbed methane development systems, and starting on 1 April 2027 for existing ones. In addition, the updated standard establishes certain requirements regarding the utilization and destruction of coalbed methane. The standard provides that for high-concentration gas that can be utilized in situ or off-site, the gas should be stored in gas tanks or utilized in gas utilization facilities. For gas with a methane concentration equal to or greater than 8% and a volume of gas extraction equal to or greater than 10 m³/min, gas utilization facilities should be built to utilize it. For gas that cannot be utilized, it should be destroyed.
- Monitoring Requirements: The updated standard specifies that operators must install automatic monitoring equipment to monitor coalbed methane emissions, in line with China’s Specification for the Management of the Use of Coal Mine Safety Monitoring System and Testing Instruments. Operators must maintain monitoring records for a period of five years. The updated standard further provides that pumping stations must be equipped with sensors to prevent gas leakage.
The implementation and enforcement of the revised standard falls on China’s Ministry of Ecology and the Environment. When an operator must discharge coalbed methane for emergency reasons (such as sudden equipment failure), the operator must report the incident to the Ministry and must take restoration measures following the incident.
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