GEECL to Start Shale Gas Exploration in India

India-focused coalbed methane (CBM) explorer, GEECL, November 15 announced it will start shale gas exploration in its flagship Raniganj (South) block in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal.

“We believe that the shale gas resources can be explored and developed cost-effectively in tandem with our successful ongoing CBM development programme through the sharing of surface and other infrastructure facilities. We are currently planning the initial exploration programme for exploiting shale in our block and will make a further announcement in due course when we commence the same,” said GEECL CEO Prashant Modi.

The government of India earlier this year tweaked the rules to permit exploration and exploitation of all types of hydrocarbons including shale resources under the existing CBM contracts. The government is of the view that this policy will enable the realisation of prospective hydrocarbon reserves in the existing contract areas which otherwise would remain unexplored and unexploited.

“We commend the government of India’s continuing transformational policies for the E&P sector; these will go a long way in attracting investments in the sector, thereby boosting India’s energy security and reducing our dependence on imports,” Modi added.