Hyderabad: Centre urges SCCL to bid for CBM blocks in Pranahita–Godavari Valley

Hyderabad: Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has urged Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) to participate in the auction for three major Coal Bed Methane blocks in the Pranahita–Godavari Valley.

The proposal was discussed during a meeting between ministry officials and SCCL Chairman and Managing Director Dr. N. Buddhaprakash Jyoti at Singareni Bhavan on Friday.

Centre pushes for CBM auction participation

Officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas informed SCCL that multiple Coal Bed Methane blocks have been identified across the country, including in the Pranahita–Godavari Valley. The Ministry is set to conduct auctions shortly to facilitate exploration and production activities.

They advised SCCL, which has over 130 years of experience in coal mining and exploration, to leverage its regional expertise and participate in the auction process. Additional Director General Shri Sachiv Kumar and other senior officials were present during the discussions.

Three major blocks identified in Singareni Region

According to preliminary assessments, three major CBM blocks have been identified across six districts in the Singareni operational belt:

Mancherial, Peddapalli, and Komaram Bheem districts: Estimated 5 BCM

Bhadradri Kothagudem district (entire block): Approximately 2 BCM

Bhadradri Kothagudem and Mulugu districts (combined block): Around 12 BCM

The total estimated methane gas resource across these blocks stands at nearly 19 Billion Cubic Metres, officials said.

Boost to energy self-reliance

The initiative is seen as a significant step towards strengthening domestic gas production and contributing to India’s energy security goals under the “Viksit Bharat – 2047” vision.

Responding to the proposal, CMD Dr. Buddha Prakash Jyoti said the company would examine the opportunity in detail and take an appropriate decision.

If SCCL participates and secures the blocks, it would mark a major diversification from conventional coal mining into methane gas exploration, further expanding its role in the country’s energy sector.