With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coalbed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following statements : 1. Coalbed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a mixture of propane and butane only that can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks. 2. In India, abundant coalbed methane sources exist, but so far no shale gas sources have been found. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2 ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Statement 1 is wrong: coalbed methane is mostly methane with some other gases, and shale gas is also predominantly methane (with ethane, propane and butane), not 'propane and butane only'.
• Statement 2 is wrong: India has identified shale gas resources in the Cambay, Krishna–Godavari, Cauvery, Assam–Arakan and Gondwana basins, alongside CBM in Jharkhand, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
• Hence neither 1 nor 2, option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: shale gas is mainly methane.
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: India has shale gas resources.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Both statements are wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2014, held on 24 August 2014. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.