This session will highlight advancements in geological theories and evaluation methods supporting coal rock gas exploration. It will address key challenges, such as the absence of a unified petroleum system across varied coal ranks and sedimentary facies, and the lack of standardised criteria for target selection and sweet spot evaluation in complex tectonic settings. Aimed at bridging fundamental geology with advanced exploration technologies, the session will promote the development of a systematic theoretical framework and technical standards for next-generation coal rock gas exploration.

Discussion topics will include:

• Reconstruction of coal rock gas accumulation mechanisms, incorporating multi-source hydrocarbon generation, multi-stage migration, and multi-scale reservoir structuring.
• Development of an integrated petroleum system model reflecting source–reservoir integration, dual-medium reservoirs, and multi-phase accumulation beyond conventional coalbed methane paradigms.
• Hydrocarbon generation and storage across coal ranks and maceral types.
• Evolution and preservation of multi-medium reservoirs under thermal and mechanical influences.
• Coupled geodynamic models of source–reservoir–seal systems in coal-bearing strata.
• Innovative geological and geophysical techniques for sweet spot identification and quantification.
• High-resolution logging interpretation and seismic inversion for reservoir mapping.
• Quantitative reservoir characterisation and predictive geostatistical modelling.
• Case studies from frontier coal-bearing basins showcasing breakthroughs in theory and evaluation technology.
• Coal rock gas enrichment mechanism, major controlling factors, dual sweet spot identification criteria, resource and exploration potential.
• Coal rock gas related new lab test techniques.

Coal Rock Gas (CRG) is an emerging unconventional resource with geological traits similar to shale gas—deep burial, high free gas content, and micro-scale migration—yet occurs within complex coal-bearing sequences. Shale development technologies and geological-engineering integration have advanced CRG progress, but large-scale, cost-effective, and sustainable development remains challenging.

Key technical issues include unclear production mechanisms, rapid post-fracturing declines, interlayer interference, and the absence of scalable development models. Recovery rates remain below 35%, particularly in structurally complex basins where economic viability is difficult without innovation.

This session will explore fluid flow and migration mechanisms in coal-bearing systems, alongside full-lifecycle optimisation strategies for green and efficient gas recovery. It aims to integrate geological insights with engineering innovations to drive lifecycle-optimised, environmentally responsible, and technically robust CRG development.

Discussion topics will include:

• Cross-scale and multi-field coupled flow and production mechanisms, including desorption–diffusion–seepage processes, fluid redistribution in multi-layer systems, dynamic pressure depletion modelling, and phase behaviour.
• Full-lifecycle development and production optimisation, covering well placement, well pattern design, spacing, type, dynamic drainage control, and enhanced gas recovery strategies tailored to diverse geological and economic conditions.
• Mechanisms of fluid flow and migration in coal-bearing systems, including multi-component coupling effects and production performance prediction.
• Multi-layer, stereoscopic development strategies for thin, stacked, and highly heterogeneous coal seams.
• Hydraulic fracturing in low-permeability coal systems, in-situ fracturing mechanisms, and development of low-water or waterless stimulation technologies.
• Estimated Ultimate Recovery (EUR) and reserve evaluation, and predictive modelling techniques.
• Drilling, completion, and production technologies: key challenges, best practices, and innovations to improve recovery efficiency.
• Production technology, including artificial lift, dewatering, formation damage mitigation, and flow assurance.
• Water management strategies, including water usage, treatment, and processing.
• Integrated geological-engineering approaches for optimised CRG development.
• Case studies demonstrating frontier developments, field applications, technological breakthroughs, and lessons learnt.

Continental shale oil is characterised by high temperature and high pressure, significant variations in geo-stress, and strong rock plasticity. The development of continental shale oil presents several challenges, including difficulty in extending and supporting fracturing cracks, localised high stress causing casing deformation in certain intervals, high decline rates in oil production, and limited estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) of single well.

This session will focus on fundamental studies, modelling, and sweet spot evaluation including the following discussion topics:

• HPHT nano/micro pore-fracture system occurrence states and phase behaviour.
• Accumulation patterns, enrichment mechanisms, geological fluid evolution dynamics, multi-scale precise geological modelling, and geological-engineering sweet spot evaluation/prediction for continental shale oil.
• Formation mechanisms and evaluation methods of primary controlling factors for sweet spots in continental shale oil.