Shale Gas production in India

About Shale Gas

• It is a type of natural gas that is trapped in shale rock formations underground.
• Shale Rock:
  • Shale is the most common sedimentary rock on Earth, making up about 70% of sedimentary rocks in the Earth’s crust.
  • It is formed from the compaction of clay, silt, mud, and organic matter.
  • It is a clastic sedimentary rock, e. it’s formed from the fragments and sediments of pre-existing rock that have undergone physical weathering.
• Composition of Shale gas:
  • It is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases, primarily methane (70–90%)
  • Other gases: Ethane, Propane, Butane, Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen, Helium and Hydrogen sulphide
• Extraction Process:
  • Shale gas is extracted through a process called hydraulic fracturing or fracking.
  • In this process, a mixture of water, chemicals and sand is pumped into a borehole at high pressure. The water pressure cracks the rock and the sand keeps the cracks open, allowing the gas to flow out.
• Usage: It is used to generate electricity and for domestic heating and cooking.

India’ Potential in Shale gas

• Reserves: India has an estimated 96 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of recoverable shale gas reserve
• Exploration: The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) are exploring shale gas in India.
• Reserves:

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