Developed economies like the USA has resorted to the Shale gas to meet their demand. There is a huge potential of shale gas in India as an alternate energy resource if exploited.
The Natural gas forms about 10% of the total commercial energy mix in India. But, the demand far exceeds the supply. A recent survey has found that many Gas plants in India producing electricity became stagnant due to the lack of supply of Natural gas and are operating with under capacity with the help of imported Natural gas.
The Indian Government has also stalled the construction of new gas plants until 2016. This means electricity shortage will occur soon. Most of the gas produced from the largest gas basin of India, KRISHNA-GODAVARI GAS BASIN is consumed by the fertilizer industries and also output from this source dropped down.
Hence, there is an urgent need of finding an alternative gas resource to run all the sectors efficiently.
Read Also: Noble Gases
SHALE GAS AS THE NEW ENERGY RESOURCE:
A new gas energy resource called SHALE GAS was explored by the USA in early 2000’s. By 2010, USA transformed from a net gas importer to an energy surplus country and also became self-sufficient in terms of Gas deposits. This has created excitement across all countries of the world.
According to the ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION report, India’s shale gas reserves equals 96 trillion cubic feet which can supply for 26 years of the country’s Gas demand.
WHAT IS SHALE GAS?
Generally, Natural gas (Methane) can be classified into two heads
- CONVENTIONAL NATURAL GAS
- UNCONVENTIONAL NATURAL GAS (or) SHALE GAS
CONVENTIONAL NATURAL GAS:
When the sedimentary basin rich in gas is drilled vertically, the gas migrates through porous rocks into the reservoir and flows freely to the surface where it is collected and piped to the users.
The natural gas that is used globally is the conventional natural gas.
UNCONVENTIONAL NATURAL GAS (OR) SHALE GAS:
The SHALE GAS is located in the rocks of very low permeability and cannot escape to the surface as easily as Conventional Natural gas. It is the type of Natural gas which is trapped in the shale formations. Shales are fine-grained sedimentary rocks which are rich sources of petroleum and natural gas.
Hence, different drilling method should be followed to recover the SHALE GAS.
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PROCESS OF DRILLING FOR SHALE GAS:
- Firstly, the land is drilled vertically up to a considerable distance.
- Then, horizontal drilling should be made in various directions to extract gas-rich shale.
- After the shale was found, a mixture of water, chemicals and sand are to be injected at very high pressures to break the shale. This process of using shale for breaking up the shale rock is called HYDRAULIC FRACTURING.
- Then the chemicals and sand help the gas to reach the surface.
LIMITATIONS:
- The main limitation is that the process requires about 3 to 4 million gallons of fresh water which our country cannot afford in a water scarce condition.
- Along with the shale gas, many toxic chemicals are also released which cannot be disposed at once.
- Land acquisition for the drilling purpose is also a problem.
However, in the month of February this year, OIL CORPORATION of INDIA attained permission from the government to drill out shale gas in the gas basins of ASSAM and ARUNACHAL PRADESH.
CONCLUSION:
Shale gas is definitely going to be a useful additional energy resource for India. But the challenge lies in making it sustainable and safe.
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Thanks alot sir! Ur guidance helps us alot and encourage us to study hard. Thank u again…::)))
Very nice , simple and informative article .
Thanks .
simple but new idea .
Hi Gopal, I am glad that you liked it.
Thanks sir .its good info for upsc student .
Thank you sir..it is very usefull source for upsc aspirant like me who is self preparing. . Again. ..thank you sir
Thanks a lot sir
informative …….diagram r nt clear otherwise good article.keep it up…
The problem is that, will the govt reduce the fuel price, or keep it as of now
Electricity problem? lack of power? at present most power plant are running half load or reducing load..Those r state
how chemical and sand help to break the shale? plzz mail me this answer?
One imp suggestion
Ur articles r good but the sharing option of articles comes on the screen and it becomes difficult to read the article. I m talking about the sharing of article option which pops up above d article in mobile format containing Facebook Google plus and twitter logos . plz either remove it or putnthese options above or below d article.
so it means US going to Invade us sooner or later for Gas n oil like They done with Iraq uhhhh r ember Guyzz
Brilliant !! but they will name the invasion for shale gas as counter terrorism / save India from terrorist (Muslims)
Respected Sir ,
could also please let us know the following
1) can Hydraulic fracturing done in agricultural lands and delta basin to extract shale gas
2) will Hydraulic fracturing and shale gas extraction affect ground water level & cause water scarcity in surroundings
3 ) why shale gas extraction – Hydraulic fracturing is banned in European countries like France and other developed countries
4) why can’t we use bio waste, agricultural waste and human waste .., other natural ways to produce methane or energy gas . instead of hydraulic fracturing / Drilling mother EARTH
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