Essar Oil Ltd. a subsidiary of Essar Energy, has announced a significant increase in proven and probable reserves (2P) and best estimate contingent (2C) gas resources at its Raniganj coalbed methane (CBM) exploration block in West Bengal.
Total 2P reserves at Raniganj are now 113 billion ft3 gross (18.8 million barrels of oil equivalent [mmboe]), while best estimate 2C resources are 445 billion ft3 gross (74.1 mmboe). This compares with the previous evaluation in December 2009, which showed 201 billion ft3 gross (34 mmboe), of 2C resources.
The latest evaluation also shows that there remains 297 billion ft3 gross (49 mmboe) of best estimate prospective resources of gas at Raniganj. Both evaluations were carried out by international consultants Netherland, Sewell & Associated Inc.
Current production at Raniganj is around 22,000 m3/day of gas, reduced to minimize flaring, while test sales through a 48 km pipeline to the Durgapur industrial estate are continuing. Progress towards full commercial production is continuing and peak production is expected to be 3.5 million m3/day.