In which of the following regions of India are shale gas resources found?
- Cambay Basin
- Cauvery Basin
- Krishna-Godavari Basin
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
- The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has identified six basins in India that are potentially rich in shale gas.
- These basins include Cambay, Assam-Arakan, Gondwana, Krishna-Godavari, Kaveri, and the Indo-Gangetic plain.
- Shale rocks, which are fine-grained sedimentary rocks, have the potential to be valuable sources of petroleum and natural gas.
- Typically, shale rocks are found adjacent to rocks that contain usable/drinking water, known as “aquifers.”
- Shale gas is often trapped beneath low permeability rocks, making its extraction challenging but potentially lucrative.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
