Context:
Study indicates shale gas generation potential in eastern South Karanpura coalfield, Jharkhand.
Shale Gas:
- A type of natural gas found in shale rock
- Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock formed from the compaction of clay, silt, mud, and organic matter over time
- Found both at the Earth’s surface and deep underground
- Deposited in ancient seas, river deltas, lakes, and lagoons.
- Major component – Methane
- Extracted through hydraulic fracturing (fracking), which involves injecting high- pressure water, sand, and chemicals into the shale to break it open.
- Guar gum from cluster bean seeds is used in this extraction process.
- Government Measures –
- Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) 2016-Provides a uniform licensing regime for both conventional and unconventional resources, including shale gas.
- PSUs like ONGC and Oil India Limited have been authorized to explore shale gas within existing oil and gas blocks.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
“Climate Action Tracker” which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a :
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) Database created by coalition of research organisations
(b) Wing of “International Panel of Climate Change”
(c) Committee under “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change”
(d) Agency promoted and financed by United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank
Answer: (a)
