TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Consortia: The consortia of selected anaerobic biological microorganisms includes at least three groups of organisms, such as an acid former group for transforming complex organic molecules into organic acids and alcohols by hydrolysis and fermentation, an obligate, hydrogen producing acetogenic group for converting the organic acids and alcohols to hydrogen, single carbon compounds and a group comprising methanogens for converting the hydrogen and the simple carbon compounds into methane, preferably methanogens. The three groups of microorganisms are selected from a consortia of microorganisms such as commercially available bacteria, genetically unique bacterial obtained from the subsurface formation and/or genetically unique, laboratory altered bacteria.Preferred Method: Methanogens convert hydrogen and simple carbon compounds into methane by acetate fermentation or carbonate reduction. A nutrient comprising carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide is injected into and sequestered in the subsurface formation for a period of time prior to the injection of the consortia of selected anaerobic biological organisms to feed the microorganisms. A consortia of additional selected biological organisms is also injected into the fractures of subsurface formation to aid in-situ conversion of organic compounds into methane and other compounds.The method of generating and recovering gas from naturally existing subsurface formations involves drilling a well into a subsurface formation after which the consortia of microorganisms is injected into the fractions. The well is then shut for predetermined time and subsequently opened for producing methane through the well. Drilling the well provides a main bore and one or more laterals extending outwards from the main bore into other regions of the subsurface formation into which the consortia is injected. Subsurface formation is artificially fractured after drilling to provide additional fracture. At least some of the consortia is injected simultaneously with the injection of fracturing fluids.Water and bacterial nutrients are injected with the consortia into the subsurface formation. Carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide is repeatedly and alternately injected over a period of time until the bacterial activity during the conversion of organic compounds to methane and other compounds is reduced below acceptable levels. After a period of time, the injection well is shut in, and another recovery well(s) is drilled into the subsurface formation. Production through one recovery well is terminated and the consortia is injected into fractures of the subsurface formation through another recovery well and methane is produced through the other recovery well. EXAMPLE - A bacterial consortia obtained from a commercial firm was injected under pressure along with molasses and other nutrients into a horizontal well with laterals. A modified mixture of bacteria and nutrients was injected into the reservoir fracture system through the horizontal well and lateral system and the bioconversion rate was verified by additional monitor wells. New analyses indicated that gas content and methane concentration was increasing, indicating that the bacteria consortia had attained stabilized community. Analysis of coal macerals obtained during and after in-situ bioconversion verified the types of organic matter undergoing bioconversion. The information acquired enabled efficient selective drilling and more efficient selection of bacterial consortia.