Q1.It is said that India has substantial reserves of shale oil and gas, which can feed the needs of the country for a quarter century. However, tapping the resources doesn’t appear to be high on the agenda. Discuss critically the availability and issues involved.

India, a major energy importer, possesses substantial shale oil and gas reserves, offering a pathway to energy security and reduced import dependence.

Significant reserves are found in basins like Cambay, Krishna-Godavari, and Cauvery, potentially meeting a quarter-century of needs.

Economic Challenges

• High capital and operational costs, coupled with volatile global oil prices, make extraction economically challenging.

Environmental Concerns

• Hydraulic fracturing demands vast water, posing risks of groundwater contamination and induced seismicity.

Technical and Regulatory Hurdles

• India lacks advanced indigenous fracking technology and specialized expertise.
• Policy uncertainties, land acquisition hurdles, and complex environmental clearances impede progress.

These combined economic, environmental, and regulatory complexities, alongside current global energy dynamics, explain why tapping shale resources isn't a high priority.

While shale offers energy independence, India must critically weigh its economic viability and environmental impact against long-term sustainable energy goals.