Methane utilization as a resource-saving method inthe coal industry

¹ Department of Economics, Organization and Management, Faculty of Economics, Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
² Department of Economics, Organization and Management, Faculty of Economics, Saint Petersburg Mining University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Abstract

Risks of partial or total loss of ecosystems and species due to climate change are currently increasing. Russia is the world’s fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gases, which have a detrimental effect on ecosystems. The fuel and energy complex is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases; in this regard, it is precisely the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in this area has the utmost significance.In addition, methane as one of the greenhouse gases is harmful not only for the ecosystem but also for industrial safety, and this is also a sphere of state regulation.Since methane, based on its forecast volumes, may well be mined as an independent mineral product, it is necessary to develop a rational method for its use, since today everything that is mined is emitted into the atmosphere.The report analyzes how coal mining companies are currently using coal-seam methane. The volumes of methane in coal seams in the Russian Federation and in coal basins are analyzed. The world experience in the extraction of coalbed methane as a separate mineral product is investigated. A project is proposed for the rational use of methane as a separate mineral product.The main purpose of the article is to show that resource-saving measures for the use of methane can have not only environmental but also economic effect.A financial model of the project is proposed, which allowed to prove the economic efficiency of the project for the use of methane as a fuel. The article is based on the case method, the method for constructing financial models, the method for assessing risks, the method for analyzing information, etc.