India-US sign MOU to Intensify Research for Gas Hydrates

Washington, DC
December 17, 2008
(Press Information Bureau) 

The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) of India on behalf of the National Gas hydrate Program (NGHP) signed an MOU with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) on 16th December 2008 on development of Gas Hydrate resources in India. The MOU was signed by Mr V. K. Sibal, Director General of DGH and Mr Mark Myers, Director of USGS at Washington D.C. in the presence of Secretary Petroleum, Mr R. S. Pandey. 

The MOU aims at scientific and technical cooperation in the field of gas hydrate research with special emphasis on marine science investigations including resource exploration and assessment; hazard and environmental issues associated with the occurrence of gas hydrates; assessment of energy resource potential of gas hydrates; field studies in support of gas hydrate research; joint research pertaining to exploration and exploitation of gas hydrates and information systems. 

Under the MOU, both the US and Indian scientists working on the research of gas hydrates will work in close cooperation with each other thus opening up various opportunities for joint projects both in US and in India. India also seeks cooperation from the USGS for establishment of full-fledged gas hydrate research center in close association with the National Institute of Oceanography at Goa. 

India along with USA and Japan is a leading country having found Gas hydrates. India’s gas hydrates occurrences in KG, Mahanadi and Andaman Deep water areas are the thickest and deepest in the world. The Prognosticated resources of Gas Hydrates in India, which is a futuristic source of gas, amounts to 66,884 TCF as against the conventional natural gas resources of 450 TCF. Indian resources of gas hydrate need to be researched upon and developed.