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The private companies would get the right to explore shale gas or oil in their existing blocks. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is working out a policy framework on the issue, said Petroleum Secretary, Vivek Rae.
The Secretary said that it would be a non-starter if a separate company would be asked to explore shale in the same block where an explorer is already working.
“They will fight among themselves. So, we would offer the first right of refusal to the current explorer,” Rae said while addressing Energy Security Conference 2013 organised by the CII in New Delhi.
Currently, there are about 254 exploration blocks in the country and nearly half of them are under ONGC and Oil India.
The Secretary said that the Ministry is working on a policy to allow private companies find shale in the remaining about 120 blocks.
At present, public sector companies such as ONGC and Oil India are allowed to explore shale gas/oil in their blocks.
This week, ONGC started drilling the first shale well.
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