Botala Energy Ltd (ASX:BTE) has received positive gas desorption results from the Project Pitse pilot project at its Serowe Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Project in Botswana, with confirmation the gas is predominantly methane — Botala’s target gas — with some iso-butane and few impurities.
Completed by the Centre for Materials Science of the Botswana Institute of Technology Research and Innovation, the gas analysis surpassed expectations with a high methane content, some iso-butane, low CO2 content, trace of hydrogen sulphide and no sulphur dioxide or other impurities.
To summarise, the analysis found:
- High methane content, to approximately 94%.
- Butane detected - a positive as it increases energy content.
- Impurities were low to absent - carbon dioxide (CO2) low; hydrogen sulphide (H2S) trace amount; and sulphur dioxide (SO2) not present.
“We are very pleased with the gas desorption results. There is strong potential that we may exceed the target rate of 2.4cc/g used by our consultants in the previous resource certifications and the feasibility study,” Botala CEO Kris Martinick.
“These results are in line with gas desorption rates of commercial gas fields in Queensland and gives us strong confidence in our project as we rapidly advance towards development.”
High iso-butane and low impurities
Botala notes that the unexpected presence of iso-butane has the potential to increase the gas calorific value (i.e. more energy dense gas) as it is a heavier hydrocarbon than methane.
This was previously confirmed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of South Africa in a qualitative analysis of previous gas samples.
Impurities, especially carbon dioxide content, are considered very low. This is ideal as it reduces processing complexities and cost of development.
Nitrogen and carbon dioxide are the main impurities and require removal in the field using standard process procedures, prior to downstream processing for electricity generation and production of LNG.
Gas desorption testing continues
Botala previously provided an overview and update on the desorption testing in a technical update announced on April 15, 2024, 'Gas Desorption Testing Exceeding Expectations'.
The process is a three-stage testing program to determine the amount of gas (in cubic centimetres, cc) held within one gram of coal and the release of the gas under flowing conditions.
Botala has now concluded stages 1 and 2, referred to as Q1 and Q2 testing.
Read more on the initial (Q1) testing: Botala Energy exceeds expectations with initial gas desorption test results from Serowe CBM Project in Botswana.
Results of the final Q2 desorption rates of up to 2.91cc/g from coal seams exceeded the target concentration of 2.4cc/g that Botala and its consultants used in the recently upgraded resource estimates and recertification, flow rate estimations, feasibility studies and cost modelling.
The samples will be transported to a laboratory to measure gas volumes released when the coals are crushed (Q3). The company expects that this should further increase the current desorption rate. The final desorption rate will be the summation of the Q1, Q2 and Q3 results.
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