(WO9512744-A1)      Increasing prodn. of methane from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation having a standard initial production rate of methane-contg. gas of X standard cubic feet per unit time, where X is a positive number, comprises: (a) injecting an inert methane-desorbing gas into the formation; (b) recovering greater than X standard cubic feet per unit time of a first methane-contg. gas from the formation during the injecting step; (c) terminating injection of the methane-desorbing gas; and (d) recovering greater than X standard cubic feet per unit time of a second methane-contg. gas from the formation. Also claimed is a process, in which the inert methane-desorbing gas into the coal bed at a formation location while recovering a methane-contg. gas during at least a portion of the injecting step. A first methane-contg. gas is recovered from the coal bed at a rate greater than the prod. of 1.5 multiplied by X standard cubic feet per unit time in the absence of inert methane-desorbing gas injection into the formation location. A second methane-desorbing gas is injected into a second formation location to recover a second methane-contg. gas at a rate greater than Y standard cubic feet per unit time from the second well, while recovering a third methane-contg. gas at rate greater than X standard cubic feet per unit time from the first well. The injection into the formation is through a first well and the methane-containing gas is withdrawn from the formation through a second well.    USE -   For improving natural gas prodn. rate from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation by injecting a gas capable of desorbing methane.    (ZA9408600-A)      Method for increasing the production of methane from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation having a standard initial production rate of methane-containing gas of X standard cubic feet per unit time, where X is a positive number, comprises: (a) injecting an inert methane-desorbing gas into the formation; (b) recovering greater than X standard cubic feet per unit time of a first methane-containing gas from the formation during the injecting step; (c) terminating injection of the methane-desorbing gas; and (d) recovering greater than X standard cubic feet per unit time of a second methane-containing gas from the formation. Also claimed is a process, in which the inert methane-desorbing gas into the coalbed at a formation location while recovering a methane-containing gas during at least a portion of the injecting step. A first methane-containing gas is recovered from the coalbed at a rate greater than the product of 1.5 multiplied by X standard cubic feet per unit time in the absence of inert methane-desorbing gas injection into the formation location. A second methane-desorbing gas is injected into a second formation location to recover a second methane-containing gas at a rate greater than Y standard cubic feet per unit time from the second well, while recovering a third methane-containing gas at a rate greater than X standard cubic feet per unit time from the first well. The injection into the formation is through a first well and the methane-containing gas is withdrawn from the formation through a second well.    USE -   Method for improving the natural gas production rate from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation by injecting a gas capable of desorbing methane.