2011-05-04

Call for interest: Proposal for a new field of technical activity on Coalbed methane

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is seeking feedback on the development of a new field of technical activity on Coalbed methane submitted by the Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China (SAC) to the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO).

Considered as one type of clean energy in the twenty-first century, coalbed methane (CBM) is commercially developed in a number of countries. Coalbed methane plays an important role in today’s current market as an alternative source of clean energy which also helps ease the tension of the global oil and gas resource shortages. However, the CBM industry faces challenges in communication, best practices for environmental protection, policies and practices, technical requirements and specifications. Standardization in CBM would contribute to more efficient economic cooperation, environmental protection and best practices.

Scope of the Proposed ISO Standards:

The proposed new field of technical activity will focus on the following:

• To establish terminology and definitions;
• To establish a set of technical standards for CBM reservoir evaluation, production prediction and resource evaluation based on specific parameters such as gas-bearing properities, permeability of coalbed and resource extent; and,
• To establish the engineering technology standards in the fields of CBM exploration, development and utilization.

As the official Canadian member of the ISO, the Standards Council of Canada is seeking feedback on ISO’s proposal from Canadian stakeholders. All responses submitted to SCC will be considered to generate a Canadian position and comments on this proposal. Stakeholders are invited to consider the following when formulating a response:

1. Is the proposed scope relevant and does it use appropriate terminology, or is the scope too broad or too specific?
2. Could the development of this proposed standard impact your sector negatively or positively and why?
3. Will the development of this proposed standard benefit your sector or will it pose challenges?
4. If this field of technical activity is regulated, will the proposed development of this standard complement it or not?

The deadline for submission is May 15, 2011.

For more information or to seek clarification, please contact Lynne Gibbens, Senior Program Officer, ISO, via email at [email protected] or by telephone +1 613 238 3222 ext. 452.

The Standards Council of Canada is a federal Crown corporation with the mandate to promote efficient and effective standardization in Canada with the goal of enhancing Canada’s economic competitiveness and social well-being. SCC is Canada’s representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and is responsible for coordinating Canadian participation in the development of international standards. It also accredits standards development and conformity assessment organizations. For more information on SCC’s programs visit www.scc.ca or email [email protected].