India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has reportedly encountered natural gas in a deepwater exploration well in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, around 43 km off the coast of Odisha.
The discovery was made in the MN-DW18-1-H-D well, where gas was encountered at a depth of approximately 1,450 metres. Initial results indicate an encouraging gas flow, although no flow rate or estimate of recoverable resources has yet been disclosed.
ONGC will now undertake further testing and appraisal work to determine the size and commercial potential of the discovery. Its relatively short distance from the Odisha coast could support future development if sufficient recoverable volumes are established.
The well forms part of ONGC’s expanding deepwater exploration programme and India’s broader Samudra Manthan initiative, which is intended to accelerate offshore oil and gas exploration through new seismic surveys, drilling and improvements in domestic offshore capabilities.
The result adds to growing exploration interest in the Mahanadi Basin, an underexplored offshore region along India’s eastern margin. ONGC has previously reported the Utkal and Konark discoveries in the basin, strengthening indications of an active petroleum system.
India is seeking to increase domestic oil and gas production as rising energy demand continues to increase its dependence on imported hydrocarbons. ONGC is planning an extensive programme of deepwater and ultra-deepwater drilling across the country’s eastern and western offshore basins.
The company has not yet issued a detailed technical announcement about the latest result.
