New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS): State owned oil and gas miner Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) Wednesday said it has entered into a technological partnership with a private firm which will ease it in shale gas exploration.

"With this partnership, ONGC will provide assistance to Super Wave Technology Pvt. Ltd (the partner) for developing Shock Wave Assisted Fracking Technology (SWAFT), an alternate to the conventional hydraulic fracturing which if proven effective as a substitute to hydraulic fracturing, in particular for shale gas exploitation, will be a game changer for the oil & gas industry," the state-owned firm said in a statement.

According to the company, hydraulic fracturing requires very large quantity of fresh water and huge quantity of energy for pumping the same at very high pressures. Post hydraulic fracturing, the well produces substantial quantity of effluent water which needs to be disposed. This issue can be addressed by adopting SWAFT.

"These are some of the issues that are bothering the current hydro-frack technology. Therefore, the global oil & gas industry has been searching of late for alternate technique for fracturing which either does not require any water or minimum quantity of water," it said.

The company said the collaboration will provide impetus for development and field implementation of Shock Waves technology for oil and gas fields.

"Once successful, the technology will be jointly patented by ONGC and SWTPL for further commercial benefits worldwide," it said.