Reliance eyes second coalbed methane project for gas expansion

⚡ AI Executive Summary

Reliance Industries is moving forward with development of a second coalbed methane (CBM) asset to increase domestic gas production. The company is undertaking groundwork and planning for an eastern block resource, beginning with a test-phase investment in the hundreds of crores of rupees. This measured approach allows for validation of the resource before committing to full-scale development. CBM projects represent an important domestic alternative to liquefied natural gas imports and are strategically valuable as India seeks to increase indigenous energy production and reduce reliance on volatile global markets. Success in CBM development could set a template for similar projects across underexplored blocks, particularly in India's eastern regions where coal-to-gas conversion economics are becoming increasingly competitive. Such initiatives also support India's broader energy security objectives by diversifying the gas supply mix.