India wants to join global gas hydrate programme
India is stepping up efforts to join the International Ocean Development Programme for gas hydrate research and development.
We are trying to become an associate member of the IODP, reveals a source, just as China is. Japan and the US are the main contributors to the IODP and India believes that becoming an associate member will give it exposure to key laboratories involved in the programme.
Indias attempts to begin its own gas hydrate research programme received a setback when only Transocean responded to the 11th May tender for a research ship. Fugro was also expected to submit a bid but pulled out because its ship was awarded a contract in the Gulf of Mexico.
Schlumberger is the common service provider to both ships and submitted its bid. India is unhappy with the Transocean and Schlumberger bids because, they want separate contracts and conditions while we want to award a single, integrated contract.