RAS question
Natural gas in Rajasthan is found primarily in which district?
Correct answer: (C) Jaisalmer.
In Rajasthan, natural gas is found primarily in Jaisalmer district, especially in the Jaisalmer Basin fields such as Tanot-Dandewala, Shahgarh and Manhera-Tibba.
Explanation
Natural gas resources and production in Rajasthan are strongly linked to the Jaisalmer Basin in the Government of Rajasthan's petroleum data. Natural gas resources are exploited in the Jaisalmer Basin and Barmer-Sanchore Basin, while OIL produces gas from Tanot-Dandewala and Focus Energy produces gas from the Shahgarh areas of the Jaisalmer Basin for supply to the Ramgarh Power Plant. Enhanced production also comes from the Shahgarh sub-basin, in addition to Tanot-Dandewala and Manhera-Tibba of ONGC and OIL. Jaisalmer therefore has a cluster of named gas fields rather than a single isolated occurrence.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Barmer is associated mainly with crude oil in Rajasthan hydrocarbon geography, while the main named natural gas fields are in the Jaisalmer Basin.
- (B) Bikaner lacks the Jaisalmer Basin field cluster associated with Rajasthan's primary natural gas production.
- (D) Jodhpur does not contain the relevant Jaisalmer Basin natural gas fields such as Tanot-Dandewala, Shahgarh and Manhera-Tibba.
Concept
Rajasthan's mineral and energy-resource geography includes district-wise locations of hydrocarbons. Petroleum and natural gas connect physical geography with Rajasthan's economy and energy infrastructure in RAS preparation.