ONGC May Take Call on CBM Blocks Soon

ONGC may soon take a call on the farm-in opportunities in its four coal bed methane blocks in West Bengal and Jharkhand, Business Line reported.

The issue may come up for discussion during the scheduled ONGC board meet on May 15.

The state owned firm has received interest from Great Eastern Energy Corporation (GEECL), Dart Energy, Essar Oil and a consortium ofJindal Steel and Deep Industries.

Of the four blocks, Jharia and Ranigunj (North) were awarded to ONGC on nomination basis in 2003. Bokaro and North Karanpura were awarded in 2002.

ONGC has got little success when it comes to producing gas from its Jharia asset despite a $200-million development programme, launched in the block in 2007, Business Line said.

Though large quantities of in-place reserves of CBM were also identified in Bokaro, the field is yet to be developed.