This paper summarizes the changes in permeability for two boreholes located above an abutment pillar in a longwall coal mine to characterize potential interaction between shale gas wells and the coal mine operations under deep cover. To determine the safety of the mine environment in case of a potential well breach, fracture network characteristics are needed to conduct a comprehensive hazard assessment. Permeability was measured using a falling-head slug test and calculated in accordance with the Hvorslev model during the mine-by of a longwall panel on one side of the pillar. The two boreholes had screened lengths at different depths to evaluate stratigraphic zones of interest above the active mining seam. The permeability at each borehole increased from pre-mining to post-mining and was highest while the face was close to and during mine-by of the test site.
