Methods for Measuring Coal Seam Gas Content During Geological Exploration (Draft for Comments)

This draft applies to activities involving the collection of coal samples during geological exploration to determine coal seam gas content and gas composition. It proposes requirements for terminology, equipment, coal sample collection and recording, selection of samples for proximate analysis, natural desorption, determination of lost and residual gas, calculation and evaluation of results, and reporting. Testing bodies should use compliant sample canisters, desorption instruments and vacuum degassing equipment, and standardize coring, sealing, desorption recording, degassing and crushing, while conducting prescribed volume and mass corrections, gas composition analysis and result evaluation. The revision adds requirements for automated equipment, wireline coring, vacuum degassing and quality control to strengthen data accuracy and traceability.