Three coalbed methane (CBM) exploration rights were successfully auctioned off to three separate market entities in Hanggin Banner, Ordos City, with a total transaction value of 98 million yuan ($14.12 million) on Jan 26.  

The exploration rights cover the Wujiamiao Zone I, Wujiamiao Zone II, and Yihewusu areas, spanning a total of 1.28 million mu (85.59 thousand hectares) within Hanggin Banner. This marks the first time that CBM exploration rights in Ordos have been allocated through market-oriented mechanisms.  

The auction was conducted via an open listing process, adopting market competition to select qualified developers. This transparent transaction mechanism ensures precise alignment between resource allocation and market demand, thereby improving resource development efficiency. 

The move also reflects the implementation of policies at both the autonomous region and municipal levels to accelerate CBM exploration and development, representing a solid step toward deeper integration of CBM resource exploitation with local development.  

In the next phase, the Ordos Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources will continue to implement national and regional strategic plans for unconventional natural gas development. Efforts will focus on advancing the new round of strategic mineral exploration initiatives, diversifying sources of exploration blocks, stimulating activity in the mining rights market, and strengthening the security of oil and gas resource supply.