The Second National Coalbed Methane Symposium Held in Beijing

   The Second National Coalbed Methane Conference was held from Octob
er 16 to 18 in Beijing. More than 120 officials and experts from secto
rs of  coal, petroleum and geology gathered to discuss the development
 of  coalbed methane in China. The conference was hosted by China Coal
 Society, China Petroleum Society, Sun Yueqi  Science and Education Fu
ndation and China Coalbed Methane Clearinghouse.
    The conference organization committee received 47 papers with five
 subjects including: (1) coalbed methane resources and development pot
ential; (2) geology and evaluation of  target regions; (3) calculation
 of  coalbed methane resources; (4) exploration, testing and recovery;
 (5) economic analysis and policies.
    The proceedings of the second National Coalbed Methane Conference 
have been edited and published by the China Coalbed Methane Clearingho
use.
    On behalf of the conference organizors the China Coalbed Methane C
learinghouse prepared a draft document entitled recommendations to pro
mote coalbed methane development in China.
    The draft document focuses on three important points: (1) basic as
sessment of the status and the future of coalbed methane development i
n China; (2) the strategies and measures to promote the coalbed methan
e industry (3) policy recommendation for consideration by the Chinese 
governmental departments. The participants reviewed the draft document
 and made comments, and agreed to submit it to relevant governmental d
epartments after revised.
    During the conference the Clearinghouse also hosted a seminar on t
he economic model for coalbed methane projects. As contracted by the U
S Environmental Protection Agency, two US CBM specialists, Mr. Raymond
 C. Pilcher with Raven Ridge Resources, Inc. and Ms. Sonali Shah from 
the ICF Corp. came to China for the conference and made presentations 
at the seminar. More than 20 people were participating in the seminar.
 Mr. Dou Qingfeng, deputy director of  the China Coal Information Inst
itute ( to which the Clearinghouse is attached) and Professor Pan Huiz
heng,  Secretary of the China Coal Society presented themselves at the
 Seminar.
    More than 120 officials and experts from sectors of  coal, petrole
um and geology gather in Beijing to discuss the development of coalbed
 methane in China.