Techno economic feasibility of methane gas extraction from the Indian gas hydrate reservoirs

Abstract

With the depleting conventional fossil hydrocarbons and increasing concerns on climate change, the importance on the exploitation of the unconventional fossil energy resources such as Shale gas, Coal bed methane and Natural gas hydrates is in the uptrend. Driven by the stringent emission targets committed by the countries during the Paris Climate Convention, the global investment in the clean energy technologies and fuels is projected to reach US$ 2.2 trillion by 2020, and the global natural gas demand is forecasted to be about 5.23 trillion m3 (TCM) in 2040. newlineDue to the limited conventional hydrocarbon resources and the challenges in the increased exploitation, India s oil and gas imports increased from US$ 38 billion in 2007 to US$ 103 billion in 2016. Even with the determined efforts in the implementation of the national strategic energy policies, India needs to import about 60 % of the hydrocarbon requirements by 2047. In addition, during the 2015 Paris convention, India has committed to reduce the emission intensity by 35% compared to 2005 levels. The depleting hydrocarbon fields, geo-political disturbances and the natural disasters are likely to create hydrocarbon import challenges for India. Hence it is essential to look for domestic clean unconventional energy resources in newlineOrder to cater to the increasing demand, meet the committed emission intensity reduction targets, bridge the implementation delays in the renewable energy, ensure energy security and meet the socio-economic developments. newline newline