ONGC looks to monetise CBM gas from blocks in Jharkhand, approaches GAIL for connectivity

• ONGC said that it expects a peak production of 0.991 MMSCMD from Bokaro and 0.869 MMSCMD from Jharia

• ONGC told the regulator that there is appreciable demand for CBM gas in the region

New Delhi: State-run Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is eager to monetise coal bed methane (CBM) gas produced from blocks in Jharkhand's Jharia, Bokaro and North Karanpura and has approached Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) for seeking tie-in connectivity with the latter's Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline (JHBDPL) project. GAIL has submitted an application to the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) to seek the regulator's nod for the same, documents sourced from PNGRB showed.

GAIL has told PNGRB that the gas received from ONGC shall be injected into the JHBDPL along the Dobhi-Durgapur section.

ONGC expects 0.991 MMSCMD from Bokaro, 0.869 MMSCMD from Jharia

In a letter to the PNGRB, ONGC said that it expects a peak production of 0.991 MMSCMD from Bokaro and 0.869 MMSCMD from Jharia. "Timely connection of these two blocks to the JHBDPL is of paramount importance to ONGC for early monetisation of such volumes," it said. 

Appreciable demand for CBM in the region: ONGC

ONGC told the regulator that there is appreciable demand for CBM gas in the region. However, since industries/markets are located far away from ONGC blocks, the natural resource is not able to reach the consumers. "The tie-in connectivity of these blocks would ensure that clean energy reaches the consumer door-step to fulfil the energy demand of the region and make a positive impact on the industrial growth and overall economy," said ONGC in the letter.

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Domestic gas from the ONGC CBM fields will be utilised in various industries like fertilizer, power, CGDs etc enroute the pipeline as well as enroute other pipelines in the country. According to ONGC, gas will be allocated through bidding and GAIL will execute the Gas Transmission Agreement (GTA) with the successful bidder of ONGC Jharia CBM gas. 

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