India May Allow Existing Operators to Explore for Shale Gas

India may allow existing oil and gas explorers to also find shale gas in their respective blocks. But, the final nod rests with the union cabinet.

“Cabinet will take a call to allow existing operators to explore shale gas in their blocks,” country’s Petroleum Secretary Vivek Rae told media persons at an industry meet in New Delhi, Business Line reports.

“If we can do it, without raising eyebrows, we should do it,” he added.

The idea behind this move is to aid faster exploitation of shale gas. Other option is to hold auction rounds, which may take couple of years more, Business Line said.

Public sector explorer ONGC has already under taken an experimental project to explore shale gas. However, it cannot go ahead commercially because the country does not have a shale gas exploration policy, the newspaper added.