By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas hosted an investors’ meeting in Bhubaneswar for the special Coal-bed methane (CBM) bid in association with Odisha Government.
Union Government has offered 15 CBM blocks including 2 blocks in Odisha for extracting gas from coal seams (CBM).
Attending the investors’ meeting for the special CBM bid, Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary, Department of Industries, Odisha, has highlighted the presence of large steel & fertilizer industries, extensive logistics infrastructure and low cost of doing business will give investors an edge.
Sharma has also assured all the help and hand-holding to the investors participating in the extraction of Coal-Bed Methane from Odisha based blocks.Sharma, explained in details efforts and policies made by the Government of Odisha for investment opportunities and assured full support from state machinery to make the bidding round a success. He explained the single window clearance for early clearances required for CBM Blocks.
Program was addressed by Mr G Srinivas, IAS, Additional Secretary & FA at MoPNG. He acknowledged the essence of enhancing Gas production to move towards Gas based economy and importance of CBM in the State.
Mr Amarnath, Additional Secretary, MoPNG informed the available reforms and liberal policies to take up the CBM and Gas production to new stage. He also emphasized the efforts made for the national gas grid and also CGD (City Gas Distribution)network across the country.
Dr Anand Gupta, ADG, Development, DGH talked about the Gas based economy and CBM opportunities in country and in Odisha and the salient features which makes the Special CBM round an attractive initiative and opportunity.
Present CBM operators namely GEECL and Essar oil & Gas presented their operations and experience made in CBM activities.
India Gas exchange talked about gas trading mechanisms. Other companies also presented efforts and support related to CBM exploration and development.
Overall, the Investor meet sensitised the attractive features, need of CBM production and opportunities for Odisha state. The event brought the Centre and state Government together to work together to develop the country towards the goal of Gas based economy.