With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coalbed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following statements :
- 1. Coalbed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a mixture of propane and butane only that can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks.
- 2. In India, abundant coalbed methane sources exist, but so far no shale gas sources have been found.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2014
1. Coalbed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a mixture of propane and butane only that can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks: CBM is primarily methane stored within coal seams. Shale gas is natural gas (which is primarily methane) trapped within fine-grained sedimentary rocks like shale. Shale gas is not a mixture of propane and butane only; propane and butane are components of natural gas liquids (NGLs) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which can sometimes be found alongside methane, but the primary component of shale gas is methane. This statement is incorrect.
2. In India, abundant coalbed methane sources exist, but so far no shale gas sources have been found: India has significant CBM reserves and has commercial production of CBM. India also has estimated shale gas reserves in various basins (e.g., Cambay, Krishna-Godavari, Cauvery basins), and exploratory drilling has confirmed the presence of shale gas. While commercial production is not as developed as CBM, sources have indeed been found. This statement is incorrect.
– Shale gas is found in shale formations, not just a mixture of propane and butane.
– India has identified sources of both coalbed methane and shale gas.