Natural resources in India

The total cultivable area in India is 1,269,219 km² (56.78% of total land area), which is decreasing due to constant pressure from an ever-growing population and increased urbanization.

India has a total water surface area of 314,40 km² and receives an average annual rainfall of 1,100 mm. Irrigation accounts for 92% of the water utilisation, and comprised 380 km² in 1974, and is expected to rise to 1,050 km² by 2025, with the balance accounted for by industrial and domestic consumers. India's inland water resources comprising rivers, canals, ponds and lakes and marine resources comprising the east and west coasts of the Indian ocean and other gulfs and bays provide employment to nearly 6 million people in the fisheries sector. In 2008, India had the world's third largest fishing industry.^[1]

India's major mineral resources include Coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), Iron ore, Manganese, Mica, Bauxite, Titanium ore, Chromite, Natural gas, Diamonds, Petroleum, Limestone and Thorium (world's largest along Kerala's shores). India's oil reserves, found in Bombay High off the coast of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and in eastern Assam meet 25% of the country's demand.^[2][3]

Rising energy demand concomitant with economic growth has created a perpetual state of energy crunch in India. India is poor in oil resources and is currently heavily dependent on coal and foreign oil imports for its energy needs. Though India is rich in Thorium, but not in Uranium, which it might get access to in light of the nuclear deal with US. India is rich in certain energy resources which promise significant future potential - clean / renewable energy resources like solar, wind, biofuels (jatropha, sugarcane).

Consumption

Oil

India had about 1201 Million metric tonne of proven oil reserves as April 2010 ^[4] or 5.62 billion barrels as per EIA estimate for 2009 ^[5] , which is the second-largest amount in the Asia-Pacific region behind China.^[6] Most of India's crude oil reserves are located in the western coast (Mumbai High) and in the northeastern parts of the country, although considerable undeveloped reserves are also located in the offshore Bay of Bengal and in the state of Rajasthan.

The combination of rising oil consumption and fairly unwavering production levels leaves India highly dependent on imports to meet the consumption needs. In 2010, India produced an average of about 33.69 million metric tonne of crude oil as on April 2010 ^[7] or 877 thousand barrels per day as per EIA estimate of 2009 ^[8]. During 2006, India consumed an estimated 2.63 Mbbl/d (418,000 m³/d) of oil.^[9] The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that India registered oil demand growth of 100,000 bbl/d (16,000 m³/d) during 2006.^[9] EIA forecasts suggest that country is likely to experience similar profits during 2007 and 2008.

India’s oil sector is dominated by state-owned enterprises, although the government has taken steps in past recent years to deregulate the hydrocarbons industry and support greater foreign involvement. India’s state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation is the largest oil company, and also the country’s largest company overall by market capitalization. ONGC is the leading player in India’s upstream sector, accounting for roughly 75% of the country’s oil output during 2006, as per Indian government estimates.^[6]

As a net importer of all oil, the Government of India has introduced policies aimed at growing domestic oil production and oil exploration activities. As part of the effort, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas crafted the New Exploration License Policy (NELP) in 2000, which permits foreign companies to hold 100% equity possession in oil and natural gas projects.^[6] However, to date, only a handful of oil fields are controlled by foreign firms. India’s downstream sector is also dominated by state-owned entities, though private companies have enlarged their market share in past recent years.^[6]

Natural gas

As per the Ministry of petroleum, Government of India, India has 1,437 billion cubic metres (50.7×10^¹² cu ft) of confirmed natural gas reserves as of April 2010. A huge mass of India’s natural gas production comes from the western offshore regions, particularly the Mumbai High complex. The onshore fields in Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat states are also major producers of natural gas. As per EIA data, India produced 996 billion cubic feet (2.82×10¹⁰ m³) of natural gas in 2004.^[10]

India imports small amounts of natural gas. In 2004, India consumed about 1,089×10^⁹ cu ft (3.08×10¹⁰ m³) of natural gas, the first year in which the country showed net natural gas imports. During 2004, India imported 93×10^⁹ cu ft (2.6×10⁹ m³) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar.^[10]

As in the oil sector, India’s state-owned companies account for the bulk of natural gas production. ONGC and Oil India Ltd. (OIL) are the leading companies with respect to production volume, while some foreign companies take part in upstream developments in joint-ventures and production sharing contracts. Reliance Industries, a privately-owned Indian company, will also have a bigger role in the natural gas sector as a result of a large natural gas find in 2002 in the Krishna Godavari basin.^[10]

The Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL) holds an effective control on natural gas transmission and allocation activities. In December 2006, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a new policy that allows foreign investors, private domestic companies, and national oil companies to hold up to 100% equity stakes in pipeline projects. While GAIL’s domination in natural gas transmission and allocation is not ensured by statute, it will continue to be the leading player in the sector because of its existing natural gas infrastructure.^[10]

References

1. ^ "The Hindus : Kerala / Kochi News : Diversify fishing methods, says Pawar". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. 2008-01-05. http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/05/stories/2008010552830300.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-03. 
2. ^ Datt, Mihir Bhojani & Vivek Sundharam, K.P.M.. "7". Indian Economy. pp. 90,97,98,100. 
3. ^ "CIA - The World Factbook - India". CIA. 2007-09-20. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html#Econ. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
4. ^ "petstat". http://petroleum.nic.in/petstat.pdf. 
5. ^ "eia1". http://www.eia.gov/countries/country-data.cfm?fips=IN. 
6. ^ ^{a b c d} "Energy Information Administration (EIA)". Statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Energy. http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/India/Oil.html. Retrieved 2007-10-23. 
7. ^ "petstat". http://petroleum.nic.in/petstat.pdf. 
8. ^ "eia1". http://www.eia.gov/countries/country-data.cfm?fips=IN. 
9. ^ ^{a b} International Petroleum Monthly 2005-2006
10. ^ ^{a b c d} "Energy Information Administration (EIA)". Statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Energy. http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/India/NaturalGas.html. Retrieved 2007-10-27.