A method of stimulating production of coalbed methane involves providing a perforation charge comprising a standard charge portion and a charge additive able to produce localized temporary oxidizing environments in perforations. A coal-bearing formation is perforated with the perforation charge to form initial perforations defined by carbonaceous material. The initial perforations have localized temporary oxidizing environments in them. Combustion of the carbonaceous material is initiated using the oxidizing environments, thus enlarging the initial perforations. Other methods involve perforating the coal-bearing formation with a standard perforation charge, thereby creating perforations. The perforations are treated with a composition creating temporary local oxidizing environments involving an oxidant in the perforations. Combustion of carbonaceous material is initiated using the excess oxidant, thus enlarging the perforations.