The Kaveri delta coal-bed methane extraction project is a series of projects to extract methane gas and hydrocarbon from coal-bed by using hydraulic fracturing in the Kaveri river basin in Tamil Nadu, India. The extraction projects faced series of opposition from the farmers, environmentalists, and experts as exploration areas covering Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Thiruvarur districts which are the major rice cultivating area of Tamil Nadu. Projects A clutch of projects in the petroleum and natural gas sectors for Tamil Nadu, involving massive investments exceeding Rs.10,000 crores, is at a very advanced stage of clearance by the Centre. This was disclosed today by the CPI(M) MP representing Madurai, Mr. P. Mohan, who is also a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Petroleum and Chemicals. While the Public Investment Board (PIB) has cleared MRL's proposal for increasing its refining capacity at Manali from 6.5 million tonnes (MT) to 9.5 MT per annum at a cost of Rs. 2360 crores, Mr. Mohan said the Environment Ministry's clearance for the same was expected shortly. Soon after that was obtained, the proposal will go to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) for approval. The project will then be completed in about 36 months. On the 500 MW power project planned by MRL near Manali using heavy fuel available from the refinery, Mr. Mohan said the Centre had approved its implementation by a joint venture company with PSEG Global and Larsen & Toubro as the partners. The detailed feasibility report (DFR) is expected to be received shortly. Dispelling impressions that the CPI(M) was not concerned about Tamil Nadu's industrial growth, Mr. Mohan said he was also pressing the Centre to quickly clear the expansion of the existing 0.5 million tonnes per year refinery of MRL at Panangudi. Even as the MOU between MRL and IOC, reached in October 1998, envisaged both pursuing a domestic refinery project, the IOC's Board has already approved the Panangudi mini-refinery's expansion by 8 million tonnes per year at a cost of Rs.7257 crores. The joint venture formed for the purpose would take over the existing assets and liabilities of MRL's facilities at Panangudi. The DFR for the expansion project, prepared by an international consultant, is presently under evaluation. On the proposed LNG terminal at Ennore, Mr.Mohan said the Centre had no plans to develop any `marketing plan' to market the LNG imports as importers could choose their own customers.