Coal fines generation can cause downhole failures during coalbed methane development, which include poor drainage, pump leakage and stuck pump. In order to prevent and control these failures, the research on the forecast of damage on production equipment caused by coal fines through monitoring dynamometer card was conducted. Based on the coalbed methane production in Hancheng, Ordos Basin, the load analysis and shape comparison of typical dynamometer cards of coal fines-related downhole failures were performed. Two quantitative parameters for indicating downhole failures by monitoring dynamometer card were proposed, which were R, unload line lag range and θ, load line deviation angle. According to the variation range of R and θ, the intensity of failures was divided into four grades respectively. The example analysis of poor drainage and stuck pump showed that the shape feature of dynamometer card could be indicative for the severity of coal fines aggregation and related downhole failures. The comprehensive analysis of the production data, such as the shape and load ratio of dynamometer card, the current fluctuation of inverter, and daily water yield change, can accurately identify the functional state of downhole equipment and the damage degree of coal fines. Adopting reinjection drainage, well washing and other control measures to the wells with failure symptom can effectively dilute coal fines concentration, disrupt coal fines aggregation, accelerate coal fines migration, and then mitigate coal fines damage and related downhole failures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]