Ten blocks in different coalfields around the country are being offered under the CBM-III Round of International Bidding to increase the pace of exploration and development of coalbed methane. Some 16 blocks were awarded in earlier bidding opportunities, covering 7800 square kilometres and with a resource of 820 bank cubic metres.

The new blocks released are located in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh & Rajasthan, and hold sizeable resources of coalbed methane.

The terms and conditions for involvement include a seven-year tax holiday from the date of commencement of production; no government participating interest; no customs duty on imports required for CBM operations; and the freedom to sell gas in the domestic market at market-determined rates.

The CBM blocks are being made available by the Indian Government through the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons.

A data viewing room will be opened after the Brisbane roadshow with information on the complete geological and technical details of each CBM block on offer.

For registration and setting up appointments, see www.dghindia-cbm-iii.com.