With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coalbed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following statements

2014

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?

(a)

1 only

(b)

2 only

(c)

Both 1 and 2

(d)

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer:

(d)

Core Books/NCERT

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Coalbed Methane (CBM) is indeed methane gas extracted from coal seams. Shale Gas is not just propane and butane. It is primarily methane, with small amounts of ethane, propane, butane, etc., extracted from shale rock formations Statement 2 is incorrect: India has abundant CBM reserves (notably in Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro, etc.). However, India does have shale gas potential (identified by ONGC, particularly in Cambay Basin, Krishna-Godavari Basin, Cauvery Basin, etc.)