With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called 'coalbed methane' and 'shale gas' consider the following statements: 1. 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. 2. 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?

Option 4 : Neither 1 nor 2

The correct answer is Neither 1 nor 2.

• Coalbed methane is a non-conventional and is a major source of natural gas.
• Coalbed methane is extracted from coal seams.
• Shale gas refers to natural gas that is trapped within shale formations. 
• Shales are fine-grained sedimentary rocks that can be rich sources of petroleum and natural gas.
• Shale gas is natural gas and is a hydrocarbon gas mixture. 
  • It consists mainly of methane. 
  • It contains other hydrocarbons like ethane, propane, and butane, and it also contains carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and hydrogen sulfide. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• India has identified six basins as areas for shale gas exploration: Cambay (Gujarat), Assam-Arakan (North East), Gondwana (Central India), Krishna Godavari onshore (East Coast), Cauvery onshore, and Indo-Gangetic basins. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

• Renewable resources:
  • Renewable resources of energy are those that can be replenished or renewed naturally over time. 
  • Air, water, wind, solar energy, biogas, Hydrogen, etc are all renewable resources of energy.
  • Renewable resources of energy are also known as “Non-conventional resources“.
• Non-renewable resources:
  • Conventional sources of energy are also called as non-renewable resources.
  • Fossil fuels like coal and petroleum are non-renewable resources of energy. 
  • They are found deep inside the earth and are made by natural processes over many years. 
  • Examples of fossil fuels are coal, petroleum, natural gas, etc.