UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 15
With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called 'coalbed methane' and 'shale gas', consider the following statements:
- Coalbed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a mixture of propane and butane only that can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks.
- In India, abundant coalbed methane sources exist, but so far no shale gas sources have been found.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct Option: D
Explanation: Both claims are false: shale gas is primarily methane-rich natural gas, and shale formations do exist in India.
Statement/Pair-wise Analysis:
Statement/Item 1: Incorrect - Coalbed methane is methane-rich gas from coal seams; shale gas is not solely propane and butane.
Statement/Item 2: Incorrect - India has identified shale-gas potential in basins such as Cambay, Krishna–Godavari and Cauvery.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/item 1.
B: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/item 2.
C: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/items 1, 2.
D: Correct - none of the given statements is correct.