The directorate general of hydrocarbons is preparing a blueprint for India to double its gas production within the next five years.
The report is likely to be submitted to the government within the next 2-3 months.
"We are doing a detailed analysis of the country's present oil and gas scenario, and what needs to be done to double the country's gas production in the next five years," Avinash Chandra, director-general of hydrocarbons, said.
"The study involves a block-by-block detailed analysis and will identify the areas where oil and gas majors should drill in order to find more gas," said Chandra.
After mapping the eastern coast, the DGH is now shifting its focus on the ultradeep waters on the west coast. "We have already started work on the Rann of Kutch and are in the process of identifying the blocks in these areas," said Chandra.
According to Chandra, the east coast alone has the potential to supply up to 7 billion tonnes of oil and gas. "Only 0.5 billion tonnes has been tapped so far by companies like Reliance and Cairn," said Chandra.
"Even if we apply the thumb-rule of proving at least half the expected reserves, we can easily assume that at least 4-5 billion tonnes of gas finds will come from the east coast within the next 2-3 years," said Chandra.
Outlining the areas with huge potential, Chandra said in the east coast the deep waters of the Mahanadi area, as well as certain parts of the deep waters in the Cauvery area, and south of Chennai looked very promising.
Also, areas south of Rameswaram and south-west of Thiruvananthapuram may emerge as gas potential areas in the next 2-3 years. "There is also a small area south-west of Cochin where oil and gas majors can hope to strike gas," said Chandra.
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