Print this pageActive Biogenesis of 
Methane
in Ft. Union Coals of Wyoming’s
Powder River Basin
The Powder River Basin, Tertiary Ft. Union coalbed methane gas is a classic example of gas formed
through secondary biogenesis. In order to better scientifically understand the
evolution of this process, numerous Powder River Basin coal cores were
carefully obtained to limit exposure to air during the course of their
extraction and examination. These coal samples were examined for their
indigenous anaerobic microbial populations and their ability to support methanogenesis. Rates of active methanogenesis
were detected in nearly all of the tested coals. Conditions were identified
that stimulated or inhibited this microbial methane
production. Extrapolated
results suggest that a huge potential bioreservoir
for natural gas production exists in the Powder River Basin coals.