Core Insights - Essar Oil and Gas Exploration & Production (EOGEPL) plans to invest $100 million (Rs 9.15 billion) in a new drilling initiative at its Raniganj East coal bed methane (CBM) block in West Bengal, India, aiming to enhance natural gas production from the largest CBM-producing site in India [1][2] Investment and Development Plans - The new drilling program represents the next phase of development at Raniganj East, focusing on introducing pilot projects for horizontal CBM wells [2] - Raniganj East is estimated to have approximately four trillion cubic feet of in-place CBM resources, with existing infrastructure capable of handling up to three million standard cubic meters per day (mscm/d) of gas, which the new investment will help expand [2] Historical Investment and Future Potential - EOGEPL has invested over Rs 60 billion in developing the Raniganj East CBM block, including drilling 454 wells and constructing more than 350 km of pipeline infrastructure [3] - The company has spent an additional Rs 6 billion to drill around 100 wells, all of which are now in production [3] - Technical studies with IIT Bombay and the University of Utah have identified hydrocarbons and favorable geo-mechanical conditions for potential shale gas development in the Raniganj area [3] Strategic Goals and Industry Context - India's initiative to increase domestic gas production aims to reduce dependency on imports while promoting city gas networks and industrial usage, particularly in coal-rich regions like Raniganj [4] - EOGEPL plans to increase production to around 5 mscm/d by 2028 through a combination of incremental CBM drilling, improved recovery techniques, and potential shale development [4] - In January 2024, Essar Oil UK partnered with Elessent Clean Technologies to develop an industrial carbon capture facility at Stanlow, UK, indicating a broader commitment to sustainable practices [4]