Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Lignite Resources in Rajasthan – Major Power Projects
1. Question: What is the status of petroleum and natural gas resources in Rajasthan? Explain with reference to major basins and production.
Answer:
Rajasthan is a mineral-rich state with abundant reserves of crude oil and natural gas, often called Black Gold. The state holds a significant position in India’s petroleum production, contributing around 20% of the nation’s total output, making it the second-largest producer after Bombay High.
There are four major petroleum potential basins in Rajasthan, covering nearly 1,50,000 sq km:
- Jaisalmer Basin
- Barmer–Sanchore Basin
- Bikaner–Nagaur Basin
- Vindhyan Basin
The first three basins have been classified in the Category-I petroleum-producing zones by the Government of India, alongside Mumbai High, Assam, and Gujarat.
The Mangala Oil Field in the Barmer–Sanchore Basin is the largest on-land oil discovery of the last three decades. Commercial production began on August 29, 2009. Currently, 14 fields, including Mangala, Bhagyam, Aishwarya, and Kameshwari, are producing oil and gas.
Natural gas production is progressing in both Jaisalmer and Barmer–Sanchore basins. Gas from the Jaisalmer Basin supplies the Ramgarh Power Plant, and a refinery and petrochemical complex is being developed at Pachpadra (Barmer).
2. Question: Describe the availability of coal (lignite) resources and major thermal power projects in Rajasthan.
Answer:
Rajasthan has limited reserves of high-grade coal but is rich in lignite, a brownish variety containing about 35% or more carbon. The state now ranks second in India in terms of lignite reserves, mainly found in Bikaner, Nagaur, and Barmer districts.
A major part of the state’s electricity generation comes from thermal energy. As of November 2022, around 58% of Rajasthan’s total power generation capacity was based on coal or lignite-fired thermal plants.
Major Coal/Lignite-Based Thermal Power Projects:
- Suratgarh Super Thermal Power Station: Located in Sri Ganganagar district, it is Rajasthan’s first super thermal plant with a total capacity of 1500 MW.
- Chhabra Thermal Power Plant: Situated in Baran district, with a planned capacity of 2320 MW.
- Kalisindh Thermal Power Project: Located at Undel in Jhalawar district, it is the fourth super thermal station of Rajasthan.
- Barsingsar Thermal Power Project: Located in Bikaner, operated by Neyveli Lignite Corporation, and based on lignite fuel.
3. Question: Where is the Ramgarh Gas-Based Power Project located, and what are its main features?
Answer:
The Ramgarh Gas-Based Power Project is located in the Jaisalmer district and is the first gas-based power project of Rajasthan. Established in 1998, it has a total generation capacity of 113.5 MW.
Natural gas is supplied from the Tanot region and by the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL). Presently, Oil India Limited and M/s Focus Energy provide high-quality natural gas to the plant. The newly added 160 MW gas unit of the Ramgarh Power Plant is also being supplied by Focus Energy.