Abstract: Discloses a three step process to stimulate well production of methane from coal seams, wherein step one provides for injection of a treating gas into a well bore intersecting a coal seam, step two includes a shut-in period and step three comprises the placement of a propped fracture treatment. In step one, the injection of the treating gas physically opens pre-existing paths of weakness in the coal. As the treating gas travels along these planes of weakness, it preferentially adsorbs onto the coal and displaces the methane. This displacement process induces shrinkage of the coal matrix, which further increases the size of the intervening existing fractures. The second step, or shut-in period, allows time for this gas exchange process to substantially complete, thereby maximizing the effect of matrix shrinkage and enhancement of the intervening fractures. The third step provides for placement of a propped fracture treatment into this enhanced fracture system.