India's CBM Output to Reach 5.77 MMSCMD in 2017-18

Coal bed methane (CBM) production in India is expected to reach 5.77 MMSCMD in 2017-18, the government said Thursday.

Current output of CBM in the country stands at 1.07 MMSCMD.

Coal and power minister Piyush Goyal told the Indian parliament that Coal India Limited (CIL) has recently been permitted for exploration and exploitation of CBM from areas under its mining leasehold which should facilitate the company in taking up CBM/CMM (Coal mine methane) projects on commercial lines.

Till now India has offered 33 coal blocks for exploration and exploitation of CBM out of which 8 blocks have reached development stage. Further, out of these 8 blocks, one block has entered into commercial production of CBM and 4 blocks are producing incidental CBM.

Earlier this week Press Trust of India reported that Indian government is likely to auction six CBM blocks in the fifth round to be conducted this fiscal.