Screening criteria of underground coal gasification (UCG): A case study from Mangunjaya Area, South Sumatra Basin, Indonesia

Abstract

Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a technology that can increase the value of coal. This technology turns coal into gas below the surface through the gasification process. UCG offers many applications for power generation, heating, and the chemical industry. The Mangunjaya area is one prospecting area, located in the South Sumatra Basin, which has been actively producing coal for a long time. This study focused on determining the potential location of UCG in Mangunjaya. Screening criteria were extracted from previous studies including coal thickness, depth of the coal seam, depth and thickness ratio, coal rank, the dip of a coal seam, roof and floor rock type and thickness, and geological structure. Thirteen boreholes were examined to determine their potential, namely MJ1 to MJ13. The evaluation results show that the Mangus coal seam at a depth of 260,4 meters in the MJ2 borehole and the surrounding area in 15 km2, matches the criteria and has the most potential coal for UCG development.