An alternative to nuclear fuel

·         Natural gas half the carbon content of coala dn its extraction requires elsser water than that of coal

·         In power sector, natural gas based power plants have a hgiher efficiency factor(electricity generated: heat content of fuel) than coal based plants

·         In developed countries natural gas makes up 25% of energuy basket while in India it is less than 10%

·         Natural gas came into limelight first in 1960s with finds in cambay basin

·         In 1997 government opened up exploration to private sector through new exploration and licensisng policy

·         Coal bed methane: gas floating above coal seams is called CBM

o   It is a high calorific content fuel

·         CBM projects are considered for carbonc redit under CDM

DEMAND

·         India produces nearly 170 mmscm per day

·         But demand is twice that of domestic supply

·         It is cheaper to export natural gas through pipelines than as LNG

o   India has LNG terminals at dahej(PetroNET LNG, 5 btu cap) and hazira(SHELL, 2.5 btu cap)

o   2 more proposed at kochi and pipavav

·         Also it is cheaper to make use of domestic antural gas then imported antural ags

WAY AHEAD

·         Accelerate exploration of natural gas and CBMs

·         Increase imports through pipelines