|
|
International
Workshop on Coal Mine Methane |
The International Workshop on Coal Mine Methane Market Development was held at Landmark Towers in Beijing from November 31 to December 1, 1999. This workshop was co-sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Chinese State Administration of Coal Industry (SACI) and organized by China Coal Information Institute. The workshop was attended by more than 70 participants, including representatives from 8 coal mining administrations and more than 20 representatives from foreign companies, financial institutions, or other concerned organizations.
International Workshop on Coal Mine Methane
Marker Development held at Iandmark Towers,BeijingSpeakers for the opening session include Mr. Wang Xianzheng, Vice Administrator of the SACI, Mr. Fan Weitang, Chairman of China Coal Society, Mr. Robert Armstrong, Acting Counselor of the US Embassy in Beijing, Mr. Karl Schultz, Team Leader of Coalbed Methane Programs of the USEPA etc. Mr.Wang Xianzheng pointed out that in the short run, importance should be attached to coal mining areas for coalbed methane development and utilization in consideration of Chinese situations. Mining areas have multiple advantages for coalbed methane projects, including reliable coalbed me thane resources, well-developed infrastructure, mature technical conditions andgood market conditions. He hoped that international cooperation be strengthened so as to promote the environmentally and economically sound development of coal mine methane in China. Mr. Armstrong said in his speech that China is one of the largest and most promising markets for the US environmental technologies and that China's cooperation is indispensable to solving global environmental problems. He stressed coalbed methane development in mining areas could achieve both environmental and economic benefits.
Four sessions were arranged in the workshop, including (1) special reports on coal mine methane development and utilization; (2) summary of the five-year cooperative project China Coalbed Methane Clearinghouse; (3) Coal Mine Methane Project Steering Committee (SC) meeting and (4) Coal Mine Methane Project Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting. During the sessions, speakers from the Clearinghouse and Raven Ridge Resources Inc. discussed past cooperation and recounted the success of joint projects among the Chinese government, the United Nations Development Programs and the ª©U.S. EPA.ªª The U.S. EPA presented a cooperative plan for marketing coal mine methane projects. The Clearinghouse also presented an economic study of potential coal mine methane projects. Several coal mining administrations and some coalbed methane exploration and service companies presented information regarding their expertise and experiences in coalbed methane exploration and development. During the SC meeting , several common observations and concerns were stated regarding financial sources, preferential policies and infrastructure development. During the BAC meeting, after broad and in-depth discussion, participants identified needs that must be met for timely development of coal mine methane project,these needs include systematic market surveys, preparation of data package, development of coalbed methane use market, pipeline construction, transparent project development process as well as improvement of public awareness of coal mine methane recovery and use.
Finally, Mr. Dou Qingfeng, Director of China Coalbed Methane Clearinghouse made closing remarks. He said that the workshop achieved a great success, which not only exhibited a great potential for coal mine methane market development in China, but also created a new mechanism that put together governmental departments, capital and technology donors and project owners to promote international economic and technological cooperation in the field of coalbed methane in China.
¡¡
