India eyes 212 mt domestic crude oil output

India has set a target of 211.64 million tonne for domestic crude oil output under the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012), up 26 per cent from 167.74 million tonne estimated under the 10th plan that ends in March, the petroleum ministry said today.

Domestic gas output target has been set at 224.6 billion cu meters under the 11th Plan, up 41.4 per cent from the estimated production of 158.8 billion cubic metre in the previous plan.

The overseas production of oil and gas during 11th Plan is projected to nearly double to 45 million tonne of oil equivalent, with oil output estimated at 35 million tonne, and gas production at 10 billion cu meters.

Under the 10th plan, the combined production is likely at 22.24 million tonne of oil equivalent.

The release said first coal bed methane production would also start in 2007-08, with 11th plan production projected at 3.8 billion cu meters.

Recently, the government awarded 10 coal bed methane blocks. While Reliance Natural Resources got four blocks, three blocks went to Australia's Arrow Energy, two blocks to Coalgas, and one block to BP Plc.

The estimated coal bed methane reserves in the 10 blocks put together is 365-bln cubic meters. The government also plans to bring 65 per cent of India's sedimentary basins under exploration by the end of 11th Plan.

Of 26 sedimentary basins with an area of 3.14 million square km, 18 basins or an area of 1.09 million square km is currently under exploration license.