Analysis of the acoustic climate during the drilling of gas wells in post-mining areas

Abstract

Coal mine methane from post extraction coal gobs is most efficiently produced with drilling wells realized from the surface. In Polish conditions, such wells are most frequently drilled in highly urbanized areas and residential quarters. The drilling of such wells creates the hazard of exceeding admissible noise levels in the areas requiring acoustic protection during the day and night. Therefore it is very important to assess the level of noise emitted by the rig and to establish the isophones 45 dB and 55 dB for various field conditions. With such information, the location of the rig can be properly selected at the stage of well design. The level of noise emitted in the environment during the drilling of experimental gas well Wieczorek-AGH-1, was established on the basis of noise analyses performed within the well pad area and its closest vicinity with the reference method, described in the Regulation of the Environment Minister of 30 October 2014 concerning the requirements of the analyses of emissions and the quantity of water consumption (Official Journal of 2014, item 1542), hereinafter called the Regulation.