Cabinet approves MoU between India, US for cooperation in gas hydrates

Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today gave its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and the United States for cooperation in gas hydrates for a period of five years.

Cooperation with the United States Department of Energy (USDOE) in the field of gas hydrates will facilitate active participation of the National Gas Hydrate Programme (NGHP) and Department of Energy (DOE) scientists in data collection, analysis and identification of sites for pilot production testing.

This would be under the planned NGHP Expedition-02 and 03 in deep water areas of the Eastern, Western and Andaman Sea. Exchange of scientific and technical information will help Indian scientists enhance understanding of Indian gas hydrates and keep them abreast with international developments.

Cooperation with the USDOE in the field of gas hydrates will facilitate active participation of the NGHP and DOE scientists in data collection, analysis and identification of sites for pilot production testing, under the planned NGHP Expedition-02 and 03 in deep water areas of the Eastern, Western and Andaman Sea.

However, Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad today said that the Cabinet has postponed decision on revision in gas prices till November 15.