Name the next major energy source in India after coal. Explain its occurrences and distribution.
Petroleum is the next major energy source in India after coal.
Occurrences: Most of the petroleum occurrences in India in the rock formations of tertiary age. It occurs in the crest of the upfold in the regions of folding and anticlines.
- The oil bearing layer is a porous limestone or sandstone through which, oil may flow.
- Petroleum is also found in fault traps between porous and non-porous rocks.
Distribution: About 63 per cent of India’s petroleum production is from Mumbai High, 18 per cent from Gujarat and 16 per cent from Assam.
- Ankleshwar is the most important field of Gujarat.
- Assam is the oldest oil producing state in India.
- Digboi, Naharkatiya and Moran Hugrijan are the important oil fields in Assam.