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News of Jan
6, 2007
British Oil Major to Survey in Bihar
Patna,
Jan 6
British exploration major Cairn Energy Search Ltd (CESL) is to begin
a survey in Bihar's Ganges basin for oil and natural gas in the next
two to three weeks, the first such exploration in the state.
"The much-awaited work for oil exploration in Bihar would start in
January. Everything is ready for an aero magnetic survey, which
would be followed by other surveys and database collection," Energy
Minister Vijendra Prasad Yadav said Saturday.
CESL and its sister concern, Cairn Energy Search India Ltd, which
has been given a seven-year license, will begin its operations in
the Ganges basin, which comprises 13 districts spread over 15,500 sq
km. The Edinburgh-based CESL had proposed the project three years
ago but it got delayed due to various reasons.
Official sources said the exploration project had got clearance from
all central ministries, including defence, petroleum, civil aviation
and atomic energy as well as the Geological Survey of India.
The CESL has been taking help from a Canadian company to conduct the
survey. A specially designed and high-tech airplane was hired from
Canada for this.
"The airplane is currently in Rajasthan and likely to reach Patna in
the second week of this month," he said.
After the survey, CESL would conduct gravity surveys in selected
areas. It would go for soil digging at select places to collect more
data. It is likely to submit the survey report by March.
The central and state governments have been eying Bihar's potential
oil and gas resources for several years. India imports some 70
percent of its crude oil needs.
According to independent estimates, reserves in the Ganges basin,
known locally as Purnea basin, could be as high as 465 million
tonnes of crude and natural gas.
Experts say the reserves can be tapped after drilling up to 4,400
meters. The government will get 10 percent royalty for every tonne
extracted.
IANS
News of Jan
6, 2007
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