Question : Coal Bed Methane Policy

(a) whether the Government proposes to introduce new Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Policy;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with salient features of the said policy;
(c) whether the Government proposes to develop unconventional sources of gas like CBM and Gas Hydrates;
(d) if so, the details thereof along with names of the places where CBM and Gas Hydrates are found and the time by which the production is likely to be started, States/blocks/company-wise; and
(e) the number of CBM blocks awarded to public/private/foreign companies so far along with gas produced from these blocks and the number of CBM blocks identified for awarding in near future, States/blocks/company-wise?
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MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) & (b)-For exploration of CBM resources, a policy was formulated in 1997. This policy has been amended by the Government in 2013.
(c) Yes Madam.
(d) Coal bed methane (CBM) is a generic term used for gas that is found in adsorbed state in coal and found in coal layers. 26,000 sq. Km of coal basinal areas has been identified jointly by MoPNG & MoC for CBM Exploration, out of which 33 CBM Blocks spread over 16,613 sq. Km has already been awarded. Total estimated CBM Resources in identified area made available (26000 sq km) is about 2600 BCM (91.8 TCF). Statewise distribution of the resources is given in Annexure-II. The total prognosticated CBM resource for 33 awarded CBM blocks, is about 62.4 TCF. Of this only 9.9 TCF has been established as Gas in Place (GIP). Total of 8 Blocks has reached Development Stage. Out of these 1 Block is producing CBM commercially, others 4 are producing incidental CBM. Details are provided in Annexure-I.
Natural gas hydrates are clathrates of natural gases (mainly methane), which are captured in water ice crystals. These clathrated compounds have been discovered in sediments worldwide wherever low temperature, high pressures and sediment organic concentrations are conducive to their formation.
Technology for Gas Hydrate exploration and extraction is still in R&D stage throughout the world. In India, Gas hydrate exploratory research is being steered by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas under National Gas Hydrate Program (NGHP). NGHP Expedition 01 was carried out in 2006 and NGHP-02 has been launched on 3rd March 2015.
(e): The details of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) blocks awarded and status thereof are at Annexure-II.
Following 6 CBM blocks have been identified to be awarded in next round of bidding:-

S.No. Proposed Name of the Block State
1 GJ(1)-CBM-2013/V Gujarat
2 GJ(2)-CBM-2013/V Gujarat
3 GJ(3)-CBM-2013/V Gujarat
4 GJ(4)-CBM-2013/V Gujarat
5 GJ(5)-CBM-2013/V Gujarat
6 GJ(6)-CBM-2013/V Gujarat