(a) whether new gas reserves namely `Gas Hydrates` have been discovered in Bay of
Bengal offshore;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the rough estimate of the gas hydrates reserves
found;
(c) whether India possess the requisite technology for exploitation of the gas hydrates;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken for exploitation of the gas hydrates?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS(SHRI DINSHA PATEL)
(a) & (b):- Yes. Sir. Gas Hydrates have been discovered during drilling and coring of two sites
In KG basin in Eastern Offshore area in the Bay of Bengal. No gas hydrates reserves have been
estimated so far. However, specialized studies are being planned to carry out volumetric
estimation of gas hydrate discovered.
(c) to (e):- There is no production technology/expertise available in the world to produce gas
from gas hydrates. Under National Gas Hydrates Programme (NGHP), the Directorate General of
Hydrocarbons has entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Japan, Korea and US to
collaborate on knowledge sharing for exploration and exploitation of gas hydrate.