The 31 oil and gas blocks that stuck for clearances for long can be cleared soon, Petroleum Minister M. Veerappa Moily hinted on Sunday.

The Petroleum Ministry has already reached mutual agreements with the Ministry of Defence & DRDO for these 31 blocks, which are at the exploration stage. Explorers have spent around $2-3 billion on exploration works at the blocks.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Mr. Moily said, "We are expeditiously resolving all pending issues. The cabinet committee on investment recently has cleared five of eight blocks involving over $10 billon investments. Decision on other 31 blocks is expected soon."

Last week, the Cabinet Committee on Investments headed by the Prime Minister cleared 5 oil and gas exploration blocks.

Most of the blocks have so far remained stuck at different stages of exploration due to pending clearances from Defence & DRDO. Panabaka Lakshmi, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, informed parliament on March 22 that the Ministry of Defence had put restrictions on exploration & development works in a total of 39 offshore areas.

Mr. Moily also revealed that the Government has plans to issue a global tender to buy ethanol for blending with auto fuel. As the Ministry, there is demand for nearly 100 crore litres of ethanol.

In a bid to strengthen India's energy security, the government is also planning to take policy initiatives for exploration of coal bed methane and shale gas.