Abstract: Coal measure gas is an important type of unconventional natural gas, and its formation and accumulation are the result of the coupling configuration of tectonic sedimentation. The Lesser Himalayan orogenic belt in Nepal is a key area for studying the development and enrichment patterns of coal measure gas reservoirs in complex structural areas. In this study, the coal measure gas reservoirs of the Gondwana Group and Surkhet Group in the Tansen area of the Lesser Himalayan orogenic belt in Nepal were taken as the research objects. The types and combination characteristics of coal measure gas reservoirs in Gondwana and foreland basins were analyzed. The development of microscopic pore-fracture system morphology and pore structure characteristics of different coal measure gas reservoirs were analyzed. The evolution process of pore-fracture systems and the formation mechanisms of dominant pore-fracture systems in coal measure gas reservoirs under the action of thrust nappe were discussed. Finally, potential favorable reservoirs, favorable areas, and resource potential of coal measure gas were preliminarily predicted. The results showed that: (1) the combination types of coal measure gas reservoirs in the Lesser Himalayan orogenic belt of Nepal mainly included the “source-reservoir integration” type of coal-shale gas, the “lower source-upper reservoir” type of coal-tight sandstone gas and shale gas-tight sandstone gas, and the “source-reservoir adjacent” type of coal-shale gas-tight sandstone gas. (2) The mesopores and organic matter micropores related to shale minerals were well developed, accounting for 64.6% of total pore volume and 98.1% of total specific surface area. The coal seam mainly developed micropores, and the total specific surface area reached 8.22 m²/g. In tight sandstones, intergranular pores and microfractures were predominant, demonstrating the highest permeability among all types of reservoirs. (3) The shale pore-fracture system had the dual effects of destruction and regeneration. The evolution of pore-fracture system in coal measure gas reservoirs with different lithologies varied under the action of thrust nappe. The coal seam mainly experienced cataclastic deformation, resulting in the development of more micropores, while the tight sandstones were mainly characterized by the formation and propagation of structural fractures. (4) The coal-shale combination of the Bhainskati Formation of the Surkhet Group in the Tansen area was the dominant coal measure gas reservoir type. The Jhadewa mining area in the southeast of Tansen area was a potential favorable area for coal measure gas. It was preliminarily estimated that the coal measure gas resources in this area reached 5.04×10⁸ m³. This study preliminarily identifies the potential favorable reservoirs and favorable areas of coal measure gas in the Lesser Himalayan orogenic belt of Nepal, providing direction for the evaluation and exploration of oil and gas resources in Nepal.

Key words: coal measure gas reservoir, combination types, pore-fracture system, reservoir formation and accumulation potential, Lesser Himalayan Belt, Nepal