"The proven reserves in the Block are 5.7 tcf and the gross in-place reserves stand at 11.9 tcf," V K Sibal, DGH told PTI.
He said RIL and Niko have been given 15 days to respond on how they arrived at the 35.4 tcf figure. The notice also seeks to know how Block D6 data was given to Gaffney, Cline and Associates for assessment of reserves when as per Production Sharing Contract, the permission of DGH had to be obtained for sending out any data.
"The mine (gas field) belongs to the government of India and profit from exploration in the block is shared with the operator in kind. So, they cannot resort to declaration of reserves or sending out data without our permission," he said.
He said as per the PSC, companies exploring for oil and gas in India are required to notify any discovery or establishment of reserves to the government first and can go public only after upstream regulatory authority DGH approves of it.
"Neither Reliance nor Niko followed the PSC norms and so we have sent a notice seeking explanation," he said.
DGH has also written to Toronto Stock Exchange, where Niko is listed, stating that the reserve announcement was not in line with the PSC and suitable action be taken against the company.
