Page 20 - Plastics News May 2021

FeAtures

in the world has developed technology to extract the billion cubic metres, Bokaro 45 billion cubic metres and
gas from these hydrates. Japan and Canada are two Raniganj North 43 billion cubic metres. In the view of the
countries that have been working on the technology for mammoth and time-bound task, it has decided to farm-
a long time, and claim it would be possible to produce in experienced partners to execute the operations, the
commercial gas from gas hydrates in the next 4-5 years. process for which is in advanced stages. ONGC is all set
ONGC has been an active participant in the National Gas to dig 400 new wells including 15 in Prabatpur of Bokaro
Hydrate Programes (NGHPs). To promote this a Gas Hydrate district in the coming years to increase the CBM production
Research & Technology Centre (GHRTC) was established on by 4,00,000 cubic meter in Jharkhand by 2020-21.
14 September 2016 at Panvel. This centre gives impetus to
Solar energy
ONGC took structured initiatives adding to the scope of
solar energy in India. With advancement of solar energy,
many of the residential colonies in ONGC have solar
water heaters and solar powered street lights. Unmanned
platforms in offshore areas also use solar energy for
navigation lights and telemetry units.New products and
expansion in capacity have lowered the costs for solar
power over the last 5 years. At the current pace of cost
reduction, solar power will be comparable to power from
conventional sources in 10 to 15 years. However, non-
adequate policy support and delay in reaching grid parity
cost could delay solar capacity build, limiting installed
the Gas Hydrate research & technology development and capacity to around 30 GW by 2030. Given the long-term
contributes to GOI’s plan to commercialize Gas Hydrates potential of solar energy in India, ONGC will look to seed
as energy resource at the earliest. ONGC has struck gas options in emerging solar technologies to position for
hydrate reserves in the deep sea off the Andhra Pradesh long-term growth.
coast. The reserves are located in the Krishna-Godavari
basin, which came into the limelight about a decade ago
and the fresh reserves are estimated to be around 134
trillion cubic feet (tcf), about one-third of the gas reserves
of the United States, which is the largest producer of
natural gas in the world.

Such a huge quantity of gas can turn India's fortunes in the
future, by making the country self-sufficient in the energy
sector, which currently imports 80% of its consumption
requirements.

Coal Bed Methane
ONGC has invested Rs. 4,000 crore to develop its four Coal
Bed Methane (CBM) gas blocks. Two of the four blocks—in ONGC will evaluate specific technology options and
North Karanpura and Bokaro, in Jharkhand—would start subsequently buy/partner for appropriate technology.
production by the second half of 2017-18. It had won the Given the uncertain nature of the solar market
Bokaro block in the first round of CBM block bidding in (expectations on thin-film market growth have become
the year 2003. Besides this ONGC is also operating the more conservative within 2 years), ONGC will cautiously
North Karanpura block and Raniganj North CBM block in pursue these investments ensuring appropriate due
West Bengal. The Jharia block is estimated to hold 85 diligence. Assuming that India is expected to reach
billion cubic metres of gas reserves, North Karanpura 62 grid parity in another 10 to 15 years, ONGC will build

Plastics News May 2021 20