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Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas13-March, 2012 17:51 IST

  • Shale Gas Exploration Policy Tentatively by March 31, 2013: Reddy

  • The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Jaipal Reddy informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today that the Shale Gas Policy is proposed to be announced tentatively by 31.03.2013. Based on the findings of studies on the potential of resources, the policy on Shale Gas is to be finalized after incorporating views of the concerned Ministries/Departments. “Therefore, the announcement of Shale Gas Policy will depend on completion of the consultation process with all the concerned authorities, including environmental safeguards required to be put in place under the regulatory regime for Shale Gas exploration and production,” the minister said.

  • Shri Reddy underlined that considering the importance and potential of alternate source of oil and gas, Government has initiated steps for identification of prospective areas and assessment of Shale Gas resources in the country as well as to formulate a policy on Shale Gas. In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between India and US Government on Shale Gas Resources in November, 2010 during the visit of the President of the United States of America(USA) to India. Under the MOU, both the countries would cooperate in the following areas of Shale Gas development:

    • Shale Gas Resource assessment in India.

    • Technical studies on Shale Gas exploration in India.

    • Share best practices on establishing a regulatory framework and safeguard Measures for the sustainable development of Shale Gas.

    • Promoting sustainable domestic and foreign investment in Shale Gas Development.

  • Accordingly, United States Geological Survey (USGS) carried out Shale Gas resource assessment in 3 Indian basins (KG, Cauvery and Cambay) in January, 2012. Further, Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) has assigned Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL), Ranchi with the task of identification of areas and assessment of Shale Gas potential in Damodar and Sohagpur sedimentary basins.

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