Numerical studies of coal bed fracturing for effective methane drainage

An effective methane drainage from the coal seam is essential for safety mining operations. This paper describes the algorithm used for calculating trajectory of crack formed by the hydraulic fracturing carried out in parallel wells. The results of numerical analysis show that direction of crack propagation is affected by the pressure applied and surrounding rock’s stress state. The maximum possible distance between hydraulically fractured wells at which they linked was estimated. The obtained results help to design hydraulic fracture treatments in coal measure rocks in order to solve the problem of underground methane production or intensification of beds degassing.