Abstract: A system for drilling low rate coalbed formations wherein the formation has anisotropic fracture characteristics which create low permeability (high volatile B bituminous rank or lower). Typically these coalbeds have vitrinite reflectance less than 0.78 R.sub.o. The system includes drilling and completing these formation with a horizontal borehole that is drilled with a gas turbine in an underbalanced pressure condition relative to the pressure of the formation. The horizontal borehole is drilled substantially transverse to the general direction of face cleats within the coalbed.