UPSC Prelims 2014 Question:

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?

Explanation:

• Coalbed Methane (CBM) is an unconventional source of natural gas is an alternative source for augmenting India’s energy resource. India has the fifth largest proven coal reserves in the world and thus holds significant prospects for exploration and exploitation of CBM. It is found along the coal seams. The presence of Gondwana coal along the rift valleys in India ensures that there is an abundance of CBM in India. CBM is a source of Natural gas and methane, however, it is not pure. Shale Gas on the other hand is the natural gas extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Shale gas is a mixture of gases like methane (mainly) along with butane, ethane, propane, etc. So, statement 1 is not correct.
  
  
• India has six basins for shale gas exploration namely the Gulf of Cambay, Krishna Godavari Basin, Assam, Gondwana, Kaveri Basin, and Indo Gangetic Basin. So, statement 2 is not correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Geography | Mineral Resources