With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called 'coalbed methane' and 'shale gas', consider the following statements: 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. 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?

Q 4 / 13

UPSC CSE Prelims 2014

With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called 'coalbed methane' and 'shale gas', consider the following statements:

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.
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?

Statement 1 is incorrect.

Coalbed methane (CBM) is primarily methane (CH₄) gas that is adsorbed within coal seams. It is extracted directly from these coal deposits.
Shale gas is also predominantly methane, which is trapped within the pores of fine-grained sedimentary rocks known as shale formations. It is not solely a mixture of propane and butane.

Statement 2 is incorrect.

India possesses significant coalbed methane (CBM) reserves, and commercial production of CBM is ongoing in various blocks across the country.
Contrary to the statement, India has identified several potential shale gas basins. These include the Cambay Basin (Gujarat), Krishna-Godavari Basin (Andhra Pradesh), Cauvery Basin (Tamil Nadu), and certain Gondwana basins. Exploratory activities for shale gas have been initiated by public sector undertakings like ONGC and OIL.

Since both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are factually incorrect, the correct option is (d) Neither 1 nor 2.

SOURCEEnvironment by Shankar IAS, Chapter 10: Energy Resources, Science & Technology by Ravi Agrahari, Chapter 11: Energy