(a) the names of the projects identified to be taken up under the Gas Hydrates Programme by the recently set up Indo-Russian Science and Technology Centre for Gas Hydrates Studies at Chennai; and
(b) the areas of collaboration in which the center is facilitating the exchange of scientists?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT(SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)
(a) An Indo Russian Centre for Gas Hydrates Studies (IRCGHS) was set up on February 12, 2004 at National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai under the Integrated Long Term Programme (ILTP) for S&T cooperation with Russia. The center has been set up pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Secretary, Department of Science & Technology and Russian Academy of Science (RAS) in November 2003. The Department of Science and Technology is the Coordinator on the Indian side for the cooperation projects under ILTP. The following projects have been identified encompassing various aspects of Gas Hydrates estimation, characterization and other studies:
i. Geology of gas hydrates.
ii. Ecological aspects of gas hydrates processing.
iii. Economics of gas hydrates exploitation.
iv. Natural processes involving gas hydrates.
v. Estimations and modeling of gas hydrates resources.
vi. Physical, chemical, mechanical and other basic Properties of gas hydrates.
vii. Development of technologies for exploration, sampling, recovery, purification and transportation of gas, from gas hydrates deposits.
viii. Joint research of Gas Hydrates in Lake Baikal and its application to Indian conditions.
ix. Designing and developing necessary instruments and observing devices.
(b) The exchange of scientists is facilitated under all the above mentioned nine projects, cooperation for which is coordinated by Indo-Russian Centre for Gas Hydrates Studies.