Essar OilNSE -0.04 % & Gas Exploration and Production (EOGEPL) has received environment clearance for exploring shale gas reserves in its Raniganj block in West Bengal, an official said.
This follows the government’s decision to allow operators freedom to explore both conventional oil and natural gasNSE 1.74 % as well as non-conventional sources like coal-bed methane (CBM) and shale reserves within a exploration acreage.
Previously, companies could explore only oil and natural gas or CBM depending on their licence for the block.
The official said the expert appraisal committee (EAC) in January 29 meeting allowed Essar to drill 20 wells to explore shale gas in its Raniganj CBM block.
