Utilisation of Coal Bed Methane The Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today that the exploration of Coal Bed Methane from coal seams before coal mining would not only help India meet its energy needs, but would also help reduce green house gas emission. Government of India, in 1997, announced CBM Policy initiative to tap this energy resource and awarded 33 CBM Blocks to different PSU/Private/JV companies. So far 9.9 TCF reserve as Gas in Place (GIP) has been established in 8 CBM blocks. Government of India, in 2015, granted right of CBM exploration and exploitation of Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries from its lease hold areas for coal mining. This initiative will bring additional areas under CBM exploitation. RG/ Rk
