Essar Energy PLC said it has greatly expanded proved and probable reserves at its 500 sq km Raniganj coalbed methane exploration block in West Bengal and that the company has India?s most expansive CBM acreage with 10 tcf of gas resources across five blocks.

Independently verified proved and probable reserves and best estimate 2C contingent gas resources at Raniganj were 113 bcf and best estimate 2C contingent resources are 445 bcf. Both figures are as of Sept. 1, 2011. The December 2009 estimate of 2C contingent resources was 201 bcf.

The latest evaluation also shows a best estimate of 297 bcf of prospective resources.

Raniganj is producing 777 Mscfd, reduced to minimize flaring while test sales through a 48-km pipeline to the Durgapur industrial estate continue. Essar is progressing Raniganj towards full commercial production, and output is expected to peak eventually at more than 120 MMscfd. Essar has 100% interest in the block.