Bituminous and subbituminous coal deposits in the United States are a significant fossil fuel resource. Furthermore, a large methane gas resource is trapped in these coal beds and associated strata.

Distribution and resource assessment of these potential gas reserves in 380,000 sq mi (988,000 sq km) of coal-bearing strata is currently under investigation. Diagnostic techniques include regional and local geologic studies, mud log evaluations, geophysical wireline logging with associated digital interpretation in both open and cased boreholes, conventional and sidewall core analyses, drill-stem and production testing, and coal bed stimulation techniques.

Integration and analysis of the resultant data provide valuable information as to coal bed thickness, coal rank, ash and moisture content, coal permeability, face and butt-cleat orientation, gas content, pressure, and flow potential. Overburden characteristics and the elastic rock properties of the floor and roof rocks, such as Young's modulus, bulk modulus, shear modulus and Poisson's ratio, are determined from logging techniques and provide information important to mine design, mining operation, stimulation of gas-bearing coal beds, and in-situ coal gasification projects.

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