METHOD OF GENERATING AND RECOVERING GAS FROM SUBSURFACE FORMATIONS OF COAL, CARBONACEOUS SHALE AND ORGANIC-RICH SHALES

摘要

A method of generating and recovering gas from naturally existingsubsurface formations of coal, carbonaceous shale or organic-richshales comprising the steops of: injecting into fractures of the subsurface formation, under substantially anaerobic conditions, aconsortia of selected anaerobic, biological microorganisms for insitu conversion of organic compounds in said formation into methane and other compounds; and producing methane through at least one well extending from said subsurface formation to the surface.