Page 147 - CW E-Magazine (27-8-2024)

Hydrocarbons

wells in R Cluster and one additional wells are in production, with an aver-
well in Satellite Cluster are being pro- age output of 0.64-mscmd gas during
posed to be drilled. This is expected to the year. “To augment production, a 40
provide incremental recovery of around multi-lateral horizontal well programme
240 BCF of gas from these fi elds,” RIL is being executed in SP (West). This is
said in its annual report for FY24. the fi rst time in India that such hori-
zontal wells are being drilled for CBM.
KG-D6 Deepwater Reliance has already drilled 13 horizontal
Since the commencement of pro- commissioned and are currently under wells, out of which 10 wells are put
duction, Block KG-D6 established production. These projects have leveraged on production. Preliminary results are
several global benchmarks in terms of the hub infrastructure in place, thereby encouraging,” it added. Reliance Gas
operational performance, including 99.9 reducing cost. Pipeline, a subsidiary of RIL, operates
percent uptime and more than 13 years the 302-km Shahdol-Phulpur Pipeline
of incident-free operations, RIL noted. Coal bed methane from Shahdol (MP) to Phulpur (UP)
RIL is currently producing coal connecting the CBM gas fi elds with the
The next wave of projects – R Cluster, bed methane (CBM) from its block SP National Gas Grid. This provides access
Satellite Cluster, and MJ – have been (West)–CBM–2001/1. More than 300 to consumers across the country.

POLICY TWEAK
Bill to amend delinking petroleum operations from

mining introduced in Rajya Sabha

Union Minister for Petroleum and a very different global energy context,
Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri recently requires to be amended to meet the
introduced the Oilfi elds (Regulation needs and aspirations of the country
and Development) Amendment Bill, for energy access, energy security, and
2024 in Rajya Sabha. energy affordability. Further, the govern-
ment, in the Bill said, there is an urgent
The salient features of the amend- and pressing need to increase domestic
ments proposed in the Bill, are delink- production of oil and gas to meet the
ing petroleum operations from mining rising demand for energy and reduce
operations; broadening the scope of the import dependence of the country.
expression ‘mineral oils’; introducing
the concept of “petroleum lease”; and “In order to unlock valuable mineral
granting lease on stable terms. Originally, oilfi elds, mines, and oil resources, it is necessary to attract
minerals were comprehensively regu- investment in the sector to infuse
The introduced Bill is also aimed lated together through the Mines and necessary capital and technology for
at strengthening petroleum operations Minerals (Regulation and Develop- expediting petroleum operations in the
through rules framed for governing vari- ment) Act, 1948. Subsequently, in 1957, country by creating an investor-friendly
ous functional aspects, such as, grants the Mines and Minerals (Development environment that promotes ease of doing
of leases or licenses, their extension or and Regulation) Act, 1957 was enacted business, prospects for exploration, deve-
renewal, and sharing of production and for the development and regulation of lopment and production of all types of
processing facilities including infra- mines and minerals under the control of hydrocarbons, ensures stability, promotes
structure and safety at oilfi elds; dispute the Central Government. adequate opportunities for risk mitiga-
resolution; and creating an environ- tion, addresses energy transition issues
ment for facilitating energy transition The original Act of 1948 was also including next-generation cleaner fuels
by enabling the development of compre- renamed as the Oilfi elds (Regulation and provides for a robust enforcement
hensive energy projects for harnessing and Development) Act, 1948, (the said mechanism for ensuring compliance of
wind and solar energy along with mineral Act) and made applicable to mineral the provisions of the said Act,” the bill
oils at oilfi elds. oils only. The Act, which provides for read.

Chemical Weekly August 27, 2024 147

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