Deora flags off Gas Hydrate research vessel Joides Resolution

Mumbai, Apr 30 (UNI) Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora today flagged off the research vessel 'Joides Resolution' to undertake Gas Hydrate drilling work at ten sites of western and eastern sea from Mumbai port.

The vessel will commence its operations in the first week of May and would drill 10 sites in about four months time at a cost of Rs 162 crore.

In his flagging off remarks, Mr Deora wished success to the scientific team of Jodies Resolution.

''Our dream to exploit the huge gas hydrate resources at commercial scale will become a reality with this successs. India is the third country after Japan and USA to undertake drilling of cores for gas hydrates,'' he said.

''Even if one per cent of the estimated gas hydrate resources in the country were able to produce the energy, requirement could be met for few decades,'' he said adding ''We will have to overcome many technological challenges before we achieve our dream of harnessing this vast untapped energy source.'' India has international cooperation in gas hydrates through the Malik Gas Hydrate Well Consortium, comprising Japan, USA, Canada and Germany.

Under the current programme to be carried out by the drill ship Joides Resolution gas hydrate samples will be collected from deep sea areas of the country.

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