Shale Gas : Is It A Viable Source Of Energy For India

Energy as from the beginning of its Invention has dramatically Changes the Mindset and the World Around us
Whether it was Invention of steam then Coal and now Crude oil ,with new form coming as CNG s and LPGs
etc, but all these are not permanent , rather they all are near to the extinction specially the coal and crude oil
reserves and as the world is progressing towards a new future , now with a new era there needs are changing so
as the power consumption needs of the people , Increase in population have directly increased the power needs
and requirements but we already facing shortage and since many such natural resources are decreasing Day by
Day , there is a sincere need for mankind to search for other viable options around us, And one of such option
is Recently Emerged basically in abundance in USA but have created a worldwide impact on other countries
and given another ray of hope in energy sector specially to the energy deficient countries , the resource is
Shale .
Shale Gas is Basically Extracted from the Pores of Shale Rock deep in the Waterbeds of fresh water source
because Shale Rock Exists in the fresh water so there is a need for lot of fresh water , then after assuring the
Shale Rock reserves A Mixture is injected into the rocks and then the pores are formed which evolves Shale gas
which is further Trapped after wards used it , This is typical Extraction of shale gas and now lets focus on the
Application and features with some short comings .
Shale Gas : Features, Application And Issues :
Since Shale Gas is Widely extracted and now used in USA so we need to discuss its features and application and
there is also a need to see the possible harm of the Shale Gas .
Features :
Extracted from Fresh water beds , from Shale rock so that is why the gas evolved named as Shale Gas
A mixture of Chemical and an Heavily Equipped Mechanism id used to extract the Shale Gas .
Since no Burning , Neither any pollution been caused in the process of the extraction and further in
use so it is considered as clean source of energy as per the atmospheric perspective is concerned but there
could be some negative effects on the Water from which it is extracted .
It can be a Viable Option when found in Abundance For example in USA .
Since it is a Natural Gas SO further it does not pollute the Atmosphere and no threat for Global
Warming As said by many experts but their opinion differs on the way of extraction .
Applications :

Can be used as an alternative to the already deficient resources and can ease the pressure hence put
on them .
Viable for the country Extracting the resource as it can Boost the Economy , We have seen the Affect
its invention has
caused in USA their long term limping Economy has got a Boost and now they
are not only extracting and using rather they
are also Exporting it to other countries.

It can dramatically reduce burden from the resource if it cannot alter them and their use but can be of
a Big help.
Reduce the increasing percentage of Green House Gases such as Carbon Dioxide , Methane ,
Nitrous Dioxide from the
Atmosphere as it is termed as Natural Gas but this is also a matter of
Discussion .
Bring Down the Growing Rates of the oil and other Gases as it has been already brought down the
usage in USA we have
already seen that when Shale was Invented then it was 12 $ and now it has been
reduced 3$ .

Since we have discussed the features and application of this form of energy , there is an Enormous need to also
Assess the Shortcomings from Using or Extraction of this Gas Cause .
Some Issues:

Due to use of Chemical Injection for the extraction of this Gas , it can cause the Water Unfit for
Drinking purposes as the gas is extracted from fresh water beds .
The more extraction , the more harm to the fresh water living aquatic animals , mad made and ma
carried Extraction can cause a great to already in danger of extinction of aquatic life of the water .
With the Shale gas , There is also a Fear of Methane gas Leakage which can cause harm to both the
water where it is spread and to the nearby atmosphere .

Since Shale Gas is in abundance for USA so it can cater their needs but for instance in United Kingdom or
France similarly for India where there is less availability of fresh water and Shale rocks this extraction can
drastically effect the countrys environment, so it is not advisable of water deficient countries to carry out an
operation in the way for Shale Gas .
Above Section we have discussed the important things of Shale Gas for m its Extraction to the market effect and
the possible hamper it could do to the environment but we have to further investigate whether this shale gas
could be of some help for India which we will discuss in the next section .
Shale Gas : As in Indias View
India as like rest of world is also Quiet excited by this form of Natural resource and they are trying their best to
spread it in all the countries so that their exports could gain and reduction in imports specially of crude oil and
LPG, CNG etc.
Now, lets get back to towards India , for now there has been some attempts already made to know about this
natural resource and its application and further its uses in the present context . One step has already been taken
in that way by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas by identifying six places in our country which may have
some Shale resource those places are Cambey Basin, Assam Basin, Gondwana Basin, Godavari Basin, Kaveri
Basin , Indo-Gangtic Plain , these all places are in the Process of study and data collecting further after that
there could some report on it .

The Government has set up an Draft Policy to take care of the matter of whole Shale Gas and further basic
Extraction and implementation policy are yet to be decided now ,for India if we find some concrete evidence on
Shale Gas Reserves ,is it a viable option , may be Yes or may be not that time will decide but for now lets
discuss the possible merits and demerits of the Shale Gas for India.

Merits of Shale for India :

Can be a rope to a falling person or seriously to a falling Economy of India but can be if and only if
Successfully Harnessed .
Since new Industry would be set up so more Employment can be a boom for the Unemployed of this
country .
Can take Some Burden Off Coal, as is exploited to a large extent and this can certainly reduce it .
Reduce the demand for other fuels such as Oils, CNG, LPG etc as India is already energy deficient
in there .
Since it is a clean form of energy so the position of India in pollution Index Listing in world Can
come dramatically Down.

Problems for India in Shale Gas :

Land Acquisition a major difference between India a Quasi-Federal Union from USA
complete Federal
state Could caus some problems for India.
Again, India is a water scarce state , we largely depend on Monsoon for fresh water and Shale
Gas is only found in fresh water which could be a possible problem from Indian Context .
Similar Problems as USA is facing about possible Environmental hazards which could be a
spot on the Shirt could not be easily Removable .
Policy Paralysis is a very Strong problem in India and currently in our country many policies
have already been unde Scanner .
We are not as much as Technologically Advanced as the USA which itself is a Very Grave
Concern to look Into.

To sum up there are some advantage but on the same road some Grave concerns regarding it, Further we would
move to conclusion Section.
Conclusion:
This is very New And relatively not experimented though for India for the time being but in past we have seen
such things have Changed the whole perspective of the time being According to me Shale Gas is not a Viable
resource form Indias Point of view Because I Think we should wait for Some time before Hurriedly Flowing
into the stream and further in USA too There has been a lot of voices Raised against the Shale Gas and mainly
ITs Extraction way and its Possible effect on Environmental benefits Because we Know that many things

which could benefits us in Short Run Can be hazardous in Long Run , In USA the government has form an EPA
whose once a report on it has come which had made much negative on Shale but due to much Protest a new
Report Is expected To hit I this year and the I think the things will get much clear about the Shale and its Effect
on the Environment .
I think we should first Have Access to the proper information about Shale and its usage for India In the
present Scenario , its merits and demerits as in Indian View everything regarding Shale should be properly
taken care and then considering and thinking the proper decision should be taken but for now Yes Shale gas is a
new form of Energy and we Indian People Should be Cautious Welcome It, Before Applying Consider every
aspect of it .
Readings :

http://www.iiea.com/blogosphere/step-on-the-gas-shale-gas-in-europe?gclid=CJCsgei3irwCFQ6o4god0GIA8A
http://www.livemint.com/Industry/fYlQ5qBr4EXkoDEJHS0mXJ/ONGC-begins-shale-gas-exploration-inIndia.html
http://www.teriin.org/policybrief/docs/Shale_gas.pdf
http://www.eia.gov/energy_in_brief/article/about_shale_gas.cfm

By
YASH CHAUDHARY