(a) whether the Government has allotted some coal mines to the oil companies
for exploitation of Coal Bed Methane (CBM);
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to take back these coal mines from the oil companies;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(e) the total loss suffered by the Government as a result thereof?
MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL AND
MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS
& PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION (SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)
(a) & (b): The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has so far awarded 23 Coal Bed Methane (CBM)
blocks in addition to 2 CBM blocks awarded earlier on nomination basis and one block through the
Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) route.
(c) & (d): As per the provisions of the CBM contract, a contractor is entitled to surrender partly or
completely the CBM block, if found to be non-prospective after exploration activities. So far, three
CBM blocks, namely BS(3)-CBM-2003/II, ST-CBM-2003/II and WD-CBM-2003/II have been surrendered by Oil
and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC). On such surrender, the lease of the contract area is automatically
cancelled.
(e): Does not arise in view of reply given at (c) & (d) above.