BackIndia to offer shale gas blocks by end of 2011
India to offer shale gas blocks by end of 2011
PremiumMumbai: India will launch its first-ever offer of shale gas areas for exploration by end 2011, even as it targets at least a billion dollar of investment commitments from the ongoing auction of conventional oil and gas blocks.
“We are evolving a policy framework for shale gas (gas locked in sedimentary rocks) and first shale gas round is planned for end 2011," Oil Secretary S Sundareshan said here.
Speaking at a roadshow organised to promote 34 oil and gas blocks offered in the 9th round of New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP), he said potential of shale gas in India is being examined by oil regulator Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH).
India has so far only explored for oil and gas. Shale gas, the gas obtained from sedimentary rocks, is the new focus area in the US, Canada and China as an alternative to conventional oil and gas for meeting growing energy needs.
These unconventional deposits have raised estimates for US gas reserves from 30 years to 100 years at current usage rates. Shale gas deposits were not considered worth tapping before Houston billionaire George P. Mitchell pioneered new extraction techniques in the 1990s.
Action is on to “develop a framework for an assessment of resource potential, which would lead to exploitation of this resource. Our intention and endeavour is to put in place a policy framework in about an year’s time," he said.
Several basins in India are known to hold shale gas resources. Primarily, focus is on three basins -- Cambay (in Gujarat), Assam-Arakan (in the North-East) and Gondwana (in central India).
Shale gas areas will be identified by next year.
India is likely to sign a cooperation agreement with the US Geological Survey during President Barack Obama’s vist next month for knowledge-sharing in the area of shale gas, Oil Minister Murli Deora said.
Out of 34 blocks offered in NELP-IX, 19 blocks are new areas - 7 in deep sea, 2 in shallow waters and 10 onland blocks. Rest 15 (1 in deep water, 5 in shallow water and 9 onland blocks) are recycled blocks.
Of the recycled blocks, five are discards of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), the largest bidder in the previous eight rounds of NELP.
“We got an investment commitment of $1.1 billion in NELP-VIII," Deora said hoping the current round will be better.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
