Xuzhou-Huaibei-Huainan region is one of the major coal industry bases in China.Around it are Mesozoic-Cenozoic overlaping basins of Zhoukou

Huangkou

Hefei

etc.

which are the major prospective areas for explorating the natural gas formed by the metamorphism of coal-bearing formation.The Carboniferous-Permian coal seams within this region are about 5-30m in thickness

with sufficient gas source.In the step-faulted zone in the east of Zhoukou basin and the deep-seated areas in both east and west ends of Huainan syclinorium

the source rocks of gas is well developed.During its deep-buried process the regenerated gas was also formed.Additionally there exist anticline structure and other types of trap

so this region is the main accumulation area of coal formed gas

a major prospective area for exploration.Deep segs in the central basin are places to search for overpressured gas.