On May 3, 2006 the scientific research drill ship `JOIDES Resolution', hired by the Indian Government to explore deep-sea gas hydrate reserves of the coast of India, sailed from Mumbai and commenced drilling, coring, and logging operations at several locations in the Indian Ocean. The U.S. Department of Energy has provided limited support to assist in the deployment of several shipboard research tools developed by DOE supported projects as part of the National Methane Hydrate R&D Program, as well as funding for post-cruise research efforts. The ship will explore prospective gas hydrate fields along the western coast in Konkan, the Krishna Godavari basin, Mahanadi and areas around the Andaman seas. The drilling and exploration will be carried out by Indian and international scientists, with Dr Timothy S. Collett, Research Geologist of the US Geological Survey, serving as the co-chief scientist of the exploration team.

In the May 1, 2005 issue of The Hindu Businessline (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com), Mr Murli Deora, India's Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, is quoted as saying "that total prognosticated resource of offshore gas hydrates in India was 1,894 trillion cubic metres, 1,900 times the country's current gas reserves".

The exploration will be conducted under India's National Gas Hydrate Program (NGHP) of the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons. Mr Deora also stated that "even if India is able to tap one per cent of the estimated gas hydrate reserves, the energy requirement for the coming decades can be met".

MR MURLI DEORA (centre), India's Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr M.B. Lal, Chairman and Managing Director, HPCL, and Dr Timothy S. Collett, of the US Geological Survey, on board the research vessel JOIDES Resolution in Mumbai, India. Photo from the hindubusinessline.com