India-based Great Eastern Energy Corp (GEECL) is planning to put in approximately $2 billion to exploit shale gas reserves in West Bengal’s Raniganj block. The company is looking to begin the initial exploration work of drilling core wells in 2019. GEECL has reached an initial understanding with state-owned GAIL (India) for an offtake or a transmission agreement through the upcoming Jagdishpur-Haldia & Bokaro-Dhamra pipeline.