17-12-08 Seeking to expand the relationship in the energy sector, India and the US have agreed to collaborate in developing gas hydrate resources, the ice-like structure that has natural gas trapped between water molecules found in abundance off the East Coast. Both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard in Washington.
The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) and United States Geological Survey (US GS) signed the MoU for cooperation in exploiting gas hydrates found in Krishna Godavari (KG) and Mahanadi basins and Andaman deep sea. The agreement was signed by DGH Director General, V.K. Sibal, and USGS Director, Mark Myers.

The MoU aims at scientific and technical cooperation in the field of gas hydrate research with special emphasis on marine science investigations, including resource exploration and assessment; hazard and environmental issues associated with the occurrence of gas hydrates; assessment of energy resource potential of gas hydrates; field studies in support of gas hydrate research; joint research pertaining to exploration and exploitation of gas hydrates and information systems.
Under the MoU, both the US and Indian scientists will work in close cooperation on joint projects both in the US and in India. India also seeks cooperation from the US GS for the establishment of full-fledged gas hydrate research centre in close association with the National Institute of Oceanography at Goa.

India along with the US and Japan is a leading country having found gas hydrates. India's gas hydrates occurrences in Krishna Godavari basin (KG), Mahanadi and Andaman deep water areas are the thickest and deepest in the world.
The prognosticated resources of gas hydrates in India amount to 66,884 tcf against the conventional natural gas resources of 450 tcf. Indian resources of gas hydrate need to be researched upon and developed.