CBM reserves and resources — Estimates of methane volumes available in global coal deposits.

The potential of the Coal Bed Methane (CBM) market is directly tied to the extent of CBM reserves and resources that are available globally. These are two distinct but related concepts. A resource refers to all the gas that is known to exist in a coal seam, while a reserve refers to the portion of that resource that can be extracted with existing technology at a cost that is economically viable. The global inventory of CBM is immense, positioning this unconventional gas as a major player in the world's energy future.

The Geography of CBM
CBM is found in virtually all of the world's major coal basins. The largest and most productive basins are located in a few key regions:

North America: The United States, particularly the Appalachian and Powder River basins, has been a leader in CBM production for decades. The vast coal deposits in these regions hold trillions of cubic feet of natural gas.

Australia: Australia has some of the world's largest CBM resources, with extensive fields in Queensland and New South Wales. The country is a major global player in the unconventional gas market.

China: As the world's largest coal producer, China has a massive CBM resource base. The country is making significant investments to develop its CBM industry to reduce its reliance on coal for power generation and improve air quality.

Other countries, including Canada, Russia, and India, also have significant CBM reserves and resources that are in various stages of exploration and development.

The Importance of CBM as a Resource
The large volume of CBM available globally makes it a crucial resource for several reasons:

Energy Security: For countries with significant CBM reserves, this fuel source provides a path toward greater energy independence and security, reducing their reliance on foreign energy imports.

Economic Opportunity: The development of CBM resources creates new industries, jobs, and economic growth in regions with coal deposits.

Climate Change Mitigation: As we've discussed, CBM is a crucial "bridge fuel" in the transition away from more carbon-intensive coal. By using methane from coal seams for power generation, we are both providing a cleaner fuel and preventing a potent greenhouse gas from escaping into the atmosphere.

The continued exploration and development of CBM reserves and resources will be a key factor in shaping the future of the global energy market. The sheer scale of the resource ensures that CBM will be a significant player in the world's energy mix for many decades to come.