Emerging Unconventional Energy Resources Shale Gas Potential in Indian Sedimentary Basins

Shale gas can be trapped within the natural fractures or pore spaces or as adsorbed gas on the organic matter in the shale formations that also act as the source rocks. India has a number of sedimentary basins from Proterozoic to Cenozoic. Five onland sedimentary basins have been identified with potential shale gas accumulations. They are: Cambay basin, Gondwana basin, Assam-Arakan Basin, Krishna-Godavari Basin and Cauvery basin. The regional geology, stratigraphy with shale thickness, tectonic setup and important parameters of Total Organic Carbon content (TOC), Vitrinite Reflectance (Vro), Gas Concentrations and Kerogen type are discussed for each of these basins. A concerted geoscientific effort is needed for the delineation and assessment of shale gas prospects to augment the exploration and exploitation activities. The current status of Shale Gas exploration and exploitation is synthesized and prognosticated Estimates of about 540 TCF of shale gas potential is indicated for these basins.