Alberta has vast coal resources that may be a potential source of coalbed methane (CBM). Exploration and research are currently underway in the province to quantify gas potential, identify key geological factors that maximize CBM potential, and identify the 'most favourable' areas for CBM production potential. There are four main coal zones within the Plains and Foothills of Alberta. The Ardley Coal Zone of the Plains is undergoing CBM exploration and production piloting. Much of this effort is within the west-central Pembina area. Horseshoe Canyon Formation coals of south-central Alberta were initially thought to have gas concentrations too low to be economic CBM producers. It is these coals, however, that host Alberta's first commercial CBM production project. Although similar in both geographic distribution and coal quality to Horseshoe Canyon coals, not much is known regarding the gas potential of underlying coals of the Belly River Group. The deeper Mannville coals have some of the highest gas concentrations of Alberta coals; however, they are also relatively deep and have lower permeability than the overlying Belly River, Horseshoe Canyon and Ardley coals. Maximum gas-in-place for the Plains and Foothills has been estimated to be greater than 500 trillion cubic feet (1.42 * 10(13) m(3)). Although this number is very large, little is known as to how much of this huge resource is actually producible. A key challenge to producibility in Alberta has been the generally low permeability of coals with the highest gas concentrations (Mannville coals), and the moderate to low gas concentrations of higher permeability coals (Horseshoe Canyon and Ardley coals). Regionally, coal distribution and average gas-in-place concentrations are calculated for the Alberta Plains. Identifying and explaining local areas with favourable CBM production characteristics within the regional setting is necessary to establish economic CBM plays within Alberta. There are currently several pilots and numerous exploration efforts underway in the province to demonstrate production potential. This study integrates existing data with new data collected from key areas that show favourable CBM potential. There is great opportunity for CBM development in Alberta. Local areas have enhanced characteristics favourable to production. Ongoing geological investigations are needed to identify characteristics that will serve as an exploration tool for future CBM discoveries. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.