Indian oil and gas officials are planning a trip to Washington in the coming month to seek U.S. assistance as they plan to tap into India’s shale gas resources.

According to The Telegraph, based in Calcutta, the group will consist of oil ministry officials as well as S.K. Srivastava, director-general of hydrocarbons.

“Several basins in India are known to hold shale gas resources,” says Srivastava. “Our focus is on three basins – Cambay, Assam-Arakan and Gondwana.”

Initial estimates and research indicate that there is potentially enough shale gas at these sites to surpass the amount of proven conventional gas deposits in the country. Insufficient technology has prevented Indian gas companies from tapping into these abundant reserves up until this point. According to Srivastava, the country would also have to modify laws that pertain to the production of shale gas because current drilling agreements do not incorporate unconventional prospects.

In the short run, the officials are hoping that this move will create a helpful partnership with U.S. energy organizations, many of which already have much experience in the extraction and production of shale gas.

India is hoping that gaining access to these resources will help them become a major energy player in the industry. Already, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd. has taken on some U.S.-based energy plays.