Method and apparatus for assisting in extraction of fluid from coal-seams

An apparatus (1), optionally including a combination of operational equipment, for effecting liquid or gas communication to, from or between strata comprising at least one gas and/or liquid containing source (3a,b), the at least one source having an upper boundary (5) through which an access well (20) (22) are drilled whereby to extend the access well downwardly to a location within, below and/or above the at least one source, and to drill the access well laterally within, above and/or below the at least one source, the apparatus including a jetting device (10) that is adapted to be inserted into the access well;

• characterised in that:
• the jetting device is adapted to form multiple boreholes (22) extending from a lateral portion (21a) of the access well which are in multiple substantially radial orientations (23) around the lateral portion, without fracture stimulation of the strata;
• and
• the jetting device includes at least one jet (37) adapted to change or maintain a direction that the jetting device is moving in as it is drilling the access well;
• and
• the jetting device is adapted to rotate the at least one jet to change or maintain the direction that the jetting device is moving in as it is drilling the access well.