Nod for CIL to look for coal bed methane in its blocks.

State-run Coal India Ltd. (CIL) got permission to explore coal bed methane (CBM) in its blocks on a nomination basis.

A proposal to this effect was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), allowing CIL to explore CBM in 450,000 hectares leased or licensed under the Coal Mines Act.

According to regulations, simultaneous extraction of coal and CBM from the same blocks were not allowed. Major private sector CBM entities in India include Great Eastern Energy Corporation, Essar Oil and Reliance Industries.

BS