TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The nutrient composition has a nitrogen concentration of at least 0.2 mM. The nutrient composition has a phosphorus concentration of at least 1 mM, preferably at least 2 mM. The nutrient composition further comprises: one or more methanogenic microbial populations containing one or more methanogenic microbes consisting of Methanobacteria, Methanococci, Methanomicrobia and Methanopyri; at least one trace element comprising iron, manganese, cobalt, zinc, molybdenum, nickel, aluminum, boron, copper, tungsten and selenium; at least one vitamin comprising pyridoxine, aminobenzoic acid, pantothenate, nicotinic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, thioctic acid, biotin, folic acid, pyruvate and B12; and at least one additive comprising acids, bases, buffering agents, oxidants, anti-oxidants, surfactants, emulsifying agents and/or gelling agents. The first nutrient composition comprises the nutrient composition. The second nutrient composition comprises a P/N molar ratio greater than the P/N molar ratio of the first nutrient composition. The nitrogen concentration in the second composition is lower than the nitrogen concentration in the first nutrient composition. The second nutrient composition comprises substantially no nitrogen. Preferred Components: The molar ratio of phosphorus to nitrogen (P/N) is less than 8. The carbonaceous material is coal, lignite, peat, drill cuttings, waste coal, coal derivatives, oil shale, oil formations, tar sands, hydrocarbon contaminated soil and petroleum sludge. The nitrogen concentration is less than 1.5 mM, preferably less than 0.5 mM. Preferred Process: The process further comprises contacting a second nutrient composition with the carbonaceous material for a sufficient period of time to produce methane, the second nutrient composition contacting the carbonaceous material after first nutrient composition contacts the carbonaceous material. The time delay between the contacting of the first and second nutrient compositions with the carbonaceous material is at least 1 week. The process comprises delivering the first and/or second nutrient composition to an in situ carbonaceous material. The step of delivering comprises: injecting the nutrient composition into or proximal to the in situ carbonaceous material; co-injecting the nutrient composition with a hydraulic fracturing fluid; injecting the concentrate to the carbonaceous material, where the concentrate undergoes dilution with fluids associated with the carbonaceous material; applying the nutrient composition to an outer surface of the heaped pile in an amount sufficient to cause the nutrient composition to flow or trickle under gravity from the outer surface through underlying carbonaceous material in the heaped pile; and mixing the nutrient composition with the carbonaceous material in the reactor. The mixing is continuous, intermittent, or ceases entirely after an initial mixing period, which brings the nutrient composition into contact with the carbonaceous material. EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.