Abundant coal seams occur in the Lower Cretaceous section of the Elmworth area. Gas desorbed from pressurized cores of coal indicate there are about 500 ft³ of methane per ton of coal. In addition to being a significant source for gas in the deep Cretaceous basin in northwestern Alberta and adjacent British Columbia, the coal beds themselves contain about 50 tcf of gas in place. It is probable that some of this gas can be recovered through processes of diffusion from the matrix and Darcy flow in natural fractures. Where coal is adjacent to producible sands or conglomerates, mathematical modeling shows that at least half of the gas contained in the adjacent coal can be recovered. Additional gas may be recovered from isolated coal seams; further field testing wil determine this potential.

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