(a) the total estimated gas and petroleum reserves found in the Cauvery basin in the recent years;
(b) the number of oil and gas blocks auctioned by the Ministry for exploration during the last three years;
(c) whether commercial exploration of gas reserves in Cauvery basin has been commenced; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the estimated production of gas during the last three years?
MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS & PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)
(a) The total estimated inplace gas and oil reserves in the Cauvery basin are about 73.60 Billion Cubic Metres(BCM) and 65.12 Million Metric Tonnes(MMT) respectively as on 1.4.2004. Estimates for the year 2004-05 are under finalisation.
(b) Under the New Exploration Licensing Policy(NELP), 6 exploration blocks have been contracted in the Cauvery basin to various private/joint venture companies and National Oil Companies(NOCs) during the last three years. One block CY-ONN-2003/1 has also been offered for competitive bidding under the fifth round of NELP which opened on January 4, 2005.
(c) & (d) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd.(ONGC) is producing oil and gas in the State of Tamil Nadu since 1985-86. The details of actual gas production during the last three years from 2002-03 to 2004-05 is as under:-
Year Gas Production(MMSCM)
2002-03 466 2003-04 605 2004-05(Provisional) 678