UPES leads the discourse on alternative fuels

Panelists at the E-CBM (Coal Bed Methane) Symposium  deliberated on future strategies for enhanced Coal Bed Methane recovery in India, as a better alternative fuel with essential benefits, both to the economy as well as the environment

Moving a step towards making India self-sufficient in the coal sector, the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) conducted ‘e-CBM (Coal Bed Methane) Symposium, 2020’ on October 10, in association with the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR), Dhanbad, Coal India Limited (CIL), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), and Essar Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Limited (EOGEPL). Eminent industry and regulatory personnel, as well as academicians, participated in the online event.

The seminar was organised with an aim to support the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, a movement seeking to make India a more independent and powerful part of the global economy by pursuing efficient, competitive, and resilient policies. The ‘e-CBM Symposium’ analysed the most promising avenue in coal fuels, the current hydrocarbon scenario, Coal Bed Methane (CBM) policy reform and the formulation of future strategies for enhanced Coal Bed Methane recovery in India and improved recovery (IR).  

The event was graced by chief guest Dr. Anand Gupta, Additional Director General (Development), DGH India, and Dr. Anil Kumar Jha, Former Chairman, Coal India Limited. Mr. Vilas Tawde, Advisor, UHC, and Former CEO, MD of Essar Oil, was the keynote speaker at the discussion.

The distinguished panel of speakers included Dr. James Peter, Ex-GGM, ONGC Videsh Limited, Mr. Rajiw Lochan, Former GM (CBM), Clean Energy Department, Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI), Dr. V.A. Mendhe, Principle Scientist, CIMFR Dhanbad, and Mr. A.N. Thakre, Founder Member, Institute of Reservoir Studies (IRS), ONGC Limited.

Dr. Nimmi Singh, Chief General Manager (Chemistry), presented a case study on microbial enhanced CBM recovery processes. Mr. Pradeep Gupta, President and CFO, Greka Drilling Limited, presented a case study on enhanced gas recovery by installing inhouse wellhead compressor. 

A total of 75 industry professionals, regulatory personnel, and academicians participated in the symposium and made it a grand success. Dr. Annapurna Boruah, Assistant Professor, School of Engineering, UPES, was the coordinator of the event.

All the guests, speakers, delegates shared their opinion towards prospects and strategy for enhanced CBD recovery. Their views are expected to be helpful for policy reforms in the coal sector, as well as in drafting the road map of future e-CBM policies. 

With the fifth-largest coal reserves in the world, coal continues to be a significant fossil fuel in India, accounting for 55% of the country’s increasing energy needs. However, given its commitment towards cleaner energy to contain global warming, India is looking at CBM as a better alternative fuel with essential benefits, both to the economy as well as the environment.

(With inputs by Dr. Annapurna Boruah, Assistant Professor, Department of Petroleum Engineering and Earth Sciences, UPES)