The coalbed methane (CBM) geology, resource and production potential in the Weibei Coalfield, southeastern Ordos Basin are studied based on geological surveys and laboratory measurements. The results showed that coal rank varies both laterally and vertically and changes from volatile bituminous coals in the margin to anthracites towards the basin (1.6-2.5% R(o)). Coals are composed of 60-85% vitrinite,15-40% inertinite and a trace amount of minerals. Methane isothermal adsorption measurements of 20 coal samples revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity (on a dry and ash-free basis) of coals, which are affected by coal rank, coal maceral, coal lithotype and especially to the moisture content, varies from 13.91 to 29.54 m(3)/t. Estimated gas contents range from 0 to 15 m(3)/t. These data yield an estimated in-place CBM resource of 2.5 % 10(11) m(3) for the Weibei Coalfield. In combination with the geological information, the data indicated that the tectonic evolution of the basin had important influences on gas accumulation, preservation, and escaping. Particularly, Late Cretaceous extensional faults may have served as the escaping conduits for gas and thus resulted in the low gas content and low gas saturation in the western area of the Weibei Coalfield. The permeability is between 0.1 and 10 mD and the porosity ranges from 2 to 7%. Petrologic permeability analyses revealed that the permeability is mainly related to the endo-microfractures, porosity and mineralization of coals. Finally, based on the mathematic analytic hierarchy process and the evaluated factors including coal thickness, gas content, coal rank, CBM resource concentration, permeability and porosity, burial depth and tectonic type, the best prospective target area for CBM production is forecasted to be west of the Sangshuping mine and circumjacent to the Xuefeng deep district in the central part of the Hancheng coal district. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.