The Petroleum Ministry, headed by Murli Deora, has surpassed the targets set for first 100 days of the UPA government's second term by rolling out path-breaking rural LPG scheme, raising oil and gas output and laying of roadmap for expanding city gas services.
Beginning of oil production from the Mangala oil field in the Thar dessert of Rajasthan and ramping up of output from the Krishna Godavari basin (KG-D6) gas field have been the hallmark of the 100 days, an official statement issued
Peak output of 8.75 million tonnes from the Mangala field will reduce the nation's oil import bill by about 8 per cent while gas from the KG-D6 will cut fertiliser subsidy and boost power generation.
Eighth bid round of the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP-VIII) offering 70 blocks covering an area of about 1.64 lakh sq km and the fourth bid round of Coal-Bed Methane (CBM -IV) offering 10 blocks covering an area of about 5,000 sq km were launched with a view to intensify exploration, it said. Bids close on October 12.
Also, the Gramin LPG Vitarak Yojana was launched aimed at releasing 5.5 crore new LPG connections by 2015, taking the total number of LPG connections from present 11.5 crore to 16 crore. This would increase coverage from 50 per cent of population at present to 75 per cent.
