A brief overview of CBM development in India

Abstract

Usage of coal as a source of clean energy is a priority area for Govt. of India to meet the overall objective of a low carbon path; hence Clean Coal Technology (CCT) is being pursued under a National Mission Program. The CCT is a broader term that includes all the technologies which can help reduce emissions during various stages of the coal cycle.Exploration and production of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) and its commercial utilization also comes under a larger umbrella of CCT. Studies show that the CBM reserves in Gondwana basin of India hold significant prospects to ensure sustainable energy supply in the future, and provide a potential option for CO2 sequestration. According to the DGH, prognosticated CBM resources are about 92 TCF in 12 states of India and the commercial production of CBM in India has already commenced w.e.f. July 2007 in Raniganj (South) block in West Bengal. In this paper, we present a brief overview of development of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) and Coal Mine Methane (CMM) in India.