Coalbed methane sector revs up

Producers are motivated to increase investment and output to meet nation's surging demand for gas

China's coalbed methane industry has lagged behind developed countries in the past decade in terms of exploration and development, but industry insiders said the country's surging gas demand and ongoing industry reform will accelerate the sector's commercial development in the coming years.

China's coalbed gas reserves total an estimated 36.8 trillion cubic meters, the third-largest in the world after Russia and Canada, according to the National Energy Administration.