India is technologically ready for shale gas, but higher environmental risks and land acquisition issues pose major concerns. SV Rao, Director (Exploration), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), explains to Sudheer Vathiyath how they can be offset.
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Shale Gas: The unlikely alternative?
The government’s plan for bidding out the shale gas blocks for exploration has been postponed till 2013, and it seems India is in the dilemma of how to take its shale gas initiatives forward in policy. The delay points to a debate on the environmental hazards. Given the greater likelihood of groundwater contamination, will shale gas be a reality in the near future? Sudheer Vathiyath explores.
$75 bn investment in oil & gas sector in 2012-17
India expects Rs 3.90 trillion ($75 billion) to be invested in its oil and gas sector from April 2012 to March 2017. The development plan incluÂdes exploration, production, reÂfining, marketing, storage,
GSPC in talks with GIC
Gujarat State Petroleum Corp (GSPC) is in talks with the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), for raising funds, a top company official said.
ONGC to farm out equity in CBM assets
ONGC is exploring opportunities to farm-out equity interests in its four CBM assets including one in West Bengal and three in Jharkhand.
Gas hydrates on east coast
Huge reserves of gas hydrates have been identified along the east coast of India by scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI).
IOC to set up refinery
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is considering setting up its eighth refinery in a western-coast state by 2021-22.
India to bid for shale gas exploration
In order to meet the growing energy needs, India will lauÂnch its maiden bid round for exploration of shale gas during the 12th Plan period (2012-17). As per the available data, six basins - Cambay (in Gujarat), Assam-Arakan (in the North-East)
ONGC looks for foreign partnership in oil hunt
The state-run ONGC is exploring the possibilities of a tie-up with gloÂbal companies to boost its domestic deep-water hydrocarbons hunt. On offer are 19 oil and gas acreages, including the east coast ultra-deepwater gas diÂsÂcovery
RIL, BP ink gas joint venture
Reliance Industries (RIL) and BP have set up India Gas Solutions, a 50:50 joint ventÂure company, to globally souÂrce and market natural gas in India. It will also develop infrastructure for transportation and marketing of the gas.

