Question 53 from UPSC CSE 2016 - Geography

Question

In which of the following regions of India are shale gas resources found?
1. Cambay Basin
2. Cauvery Basin
3. Krishna-Godavari Basin
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1, 2, and 3

Strategy: Confirm the presence of shale gas in the Cambay, Cauvery, and Krishna-Godavari basins through direct factual recall. Select the option that includes all three, as they are all recognized as significant shale gas resource areas.

Key Info: Shale gas is natural gas trapped within shale formations, a type of fine-grained sedimentary rock. Its extraction typically involves advanced techniques such as hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and horizontal drilling.

### Key Shale Gas Regions in India

*   **Cambay Basin**: Located primarily in Gujarat, this basin is one of the most promising shale gas and oil prospects in India. Public sector undertakings like ONGC have conducted extensive exploratory drilling here in areas such as Mehsana, Ahmedabad, and Bharuch.
*   **Cauvery Basin**: Situated along the east coast, predominantly in Tamil Nadu, this basin also holds substantial shale gas potential. Exploration activities have been reported, for instance, in the Nagapattinam district.
*   **Krishna-Godavari (KG) Basin**: A well-known hydrocarbon basin stretching across Andhra Pradesh and the Bay of Bengal, the KG Basin also possesses significant shale gas reserves. Exploratory efforts have focused on districts like East and West Godavari.

Other basins with potential or identified shale gas resources in India include the Ganga Basin, Assam-Arakan Basin, and parts of the Gondwana Basin (e.g., Damodar Basin).

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 2 and 3 only

In which of the following regions of India are shale gas resources found? Cambay Basin Cauvery Basin Krishna-Godavari Basin Select the correct answer using the code given below.

In which of the following regions of India are shale gas resources found?

Cambay Basin

Cauvery Basin

Krishna-Godavari Basin
Select the correct answer using the code given below.