India to produce 46 billion cubic metre natural gas by 2018

Source: PIB, Government of India

The government has projected up to 46 billion cubic metre of natural gas production in the next three years The Minister of State (Independent Charges) for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Monday that the projection of natural gas production for the next three years is as under: Demand and Supply of Natural Gas 

                         BCM: Billion Cubic Metre  In order to enhance gas production, the government has taken/is taking a number of initiatives. 

1. Enhance production from the existing field by adopting Improved Oil Recovery (IOR)/Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) measures using latest technology.
2. Bring into production new discoveries at the earliest. For this a policy framework for early monetization of hydrocarbon discoveries under PSC regime has been approved by the government. This policy has addressed rigidities in the timelines of the PSC and has allowed the contractors to start production at the earliest.
3. Facilitate enhanced exploration activities through following measures:

• Appraisal of about 1.5 million sq km un-appraised area of the Indian sedimentary basins and acquisition of geo-scientific data under multi-client and non-exclusive policy.
• Re-assessment of hydrocarbon resources.
• Setting up of National Data Repository. Policy approved for exploration and exploitation of shale gas/shale oil resources by national oil Companies under the nomination regime.
• Government approved the Policy on Testing Requirements for Discoveries in NELP blocks on 29.04.2015. The Policy would help in monetization of discoveries in five NELP blocks.

Normally, the use of natural gas is as a substitute fuel in the industries. Currently, in allocation of natural gas, government has given priority to different sectors including fertilizer and power sector depending upon its availability. As far as encouraging the use of natural gas, it is to be decided by the industries based on the economies other competing fuels.

August 10, 2015 | 04:30pm IST.