CIL to Develop Coal Bed Methane Reserves

Shri Pratik PrakashBapu Patil, Minister of State for Coal has informed today in Lok Sabha that Coal India Ltd (CIL)/ Central Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI) is pursuing development of Coal Mine Methane (CMM) from its mining areas as it would be beneficial on mine safety as well as environment. Ministry of Coal has made CMPDI the Nodal Agency for development of CMM in India. CIL/CMPDI has successfully implemented a CMM demonstration project at Moonidih mine of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. (BCCL), funded by GoI/UNDP/GEF. The successful implementation of the project has proved the efficacy of the technology of CMM extraction and its utilization in Indian geo- mining condition. Based on success of the demonstration project, steps have been taken for identification of prospective areas for development of CMM projects and coalfields characterized by occurrence of multi-seams of high rank coals which were considered potential areas for CMM development.

Minister said that the Government has approved the gas price formula based on the Rangarajan Committee recommendations, which will be applicable from 1st April 2014 for a period of 5 years. These gas prices will be applicable to all natural gas including CBM.

Minister further said that a total of 33 Coal-Bed Methane (CBM) Blocks have been awarded under 4 rounds of CBM Bidding, out of which 3 blocks have been relinquished. 9.9 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) of CBM gas in-place has been established in 8 Blocks so far. In one Block namely, Raniganj South in West Bengal, commercial gas production started in 2007 and the current gas production is of the order of 0.25MMSCMD.

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