The paper presents an analysis of the possible location of geological formations suitable for CO₂ storage in the Upper Silesia Coal Basin, Poland. The range of the reservoir has been determined on the basis of an analysis of basic geological parameters, which determine the selection criteria for sites suitable for CO₂ storage. A dynamic modelling of the CO₂ distribution in the aquifer is presented. Based on the constructed model of migration, reactivity, and geochemical transport of CO₂ in geological structures, it is possible to identify potential migration routes and escape sites of CO₂ on the surface. The analysis of the technical and geological possibilities of CO₂ storage was carried out according to the regulations of the complex Polish geological law, specifically in terms of sequestration possibilities in geological formations.

The paper presents a research study on modeling and computer simulation of injecting CO₂ into the coal seams of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland connected with enhanced coal bed methane (ECBM) recovery. In the initial stage of the research activities, a structural parameter model was developed specifically with reference to the coal-bearing formations of the Upper Carboniferous for which basic parameters of coal quality and the distribution of methane content were estimated. In addition, a lithological model of the overall reservoir structure was developed and the reservoir parameters of the storage site were analyzed. In the next stage of the research, the static model was supplemented with detailed reservoir parameters as well as the thermodynamic properties of fluids and complex gases. The paper discusses a series of simulations of an enhanced coalbed methane recovery process with a simultaneous injection of carbon dioxide. The analyses were performed using the ECLIPSE software designed for simulating coal seam processes. The results of the simulations demonstrated that the total volume of CO₂ injected to a designated seam in a coal mine during the period of one year equaled 1,954,213 sm³. The total amount of water obtained from the production wells during the whole period of the simulations (6.5 years) was 9867 sm³. At the same time, 15,558,906 sm³ of gas was recovered, out of which 14,445,424 sm³ was methane. The remaining 7% of the extracted gas was carbon dioxide as a result of reverse production of the previously injected CO₂. However, taking into consideration the phenomena of coal matrix shrinking and swelling, the total amount of injected CO₂ decreased to approximately 625,000 sm³.

The objective of the study was the analysis of trace elements contents in coals of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB), which may pose a potential threat to the environment when emitted from coal processing systems. Productive carbon overburden in central and southern zones of the USCB is composed mostly of insulating tertiary formations of a thickness from a few m to 1,100 m, and is represented by Miocene and Pliocene formations. In the data study the geological conditions of the coal seams of particular zones of the USCB were taken into account and the hierarchical clustering analysis was applied, which enabled the exploration of the dissimilarities between coal samples of various zones of the USCB in terms of basic physical and chemical parameters and trace elements contents. Coals of the northern and eastern zones of the USCB are characterized by high average Hg and low average Ba, Cr, and Ni contents, whereas coals of southern and western zones are unique due to high average concentrations of Ba, Co, Cu, Ni, and V. Coals of the central part of the USCB are characterized by the highest average concentration of Mn and the lowest average concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, V, and Zn.

The paper presents the assessment of the resources of methane considered as the main mineral in the most prospective selected areas of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland in the region of undeveloped deposits. The methane resources were estimated by means of a volumetric method at three depth levels, 1000, 1250, and 1500 m. A part of the Studzienice deposit comprising three coal seams, 333, 336, and 337, located in a methane zone was chosen for the numerical modeling of simulated methane production. The presented static 3D model has been developed using Petrel Schlumberger software. The total resources of methane in the area amount to approximately 446.5 million of Nm³. Numerical simulations of methane production from the selected coal seams with hydraulic fracturing were conducted by means of Schlumberger ECLIPSE reservoir simulator. Based on the simulations, it was concluded that, in the first six months of the simulations, water is produced from the seams, which is connected with the decrease in the rock mass pressure. The process prompts methane desorption from the coal matrix, which in turn results in a total methane production of 76.2 million of Nm³ within the five-year period of the simulations, which constitutes about 17% of total methane resources (GIP). The paper also presents a detailed analysis of Polish legislation concerning the activities aimed at prospecting, exploring, and extracting the deposits of hydrocarbons.