Russia Will Help India In Industrial Growth

Indian gas producer GAIL India Ltd. and Russian gas giant Gazprom are likely to start a 3D seismic study in the Bengal basin, 200 km off the Digha coast in Midnapore, when the first phase of exploration proved sizeable gas reserves.
Sources say the first phase of the study has been ?very ?positive?, prompting the combine to step up investments in carrying out further studies.
The consortium has hired a seismic vessel from Russian firm SMNG to carry out the second phase of their study. It has been sent to Visakhapatnam for naval clearance, expected to come through any time now.
Sources said the consortium partners have been enthused by a positive assessment from US consulting firm Petrotel. ?After the 3D seismic study, we can determine the availability of gas in the area and whether the production there will be viable,? they added.
A Gail official said a major gas find would have a big impact on the industrial profile of the region. ?Industrial growth in the Haldia and Calcutta will be boosted if commercially viable gas is found off Digha coast.?