Bhubaneswar, July 26 (UDN): In a significant step towards strengthening India’s energy security, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has commenced its first deepwater exploratory drilling campaign in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin off the Odisha coast. The initiative marks the launch of the ambitious Samudra Manthan Mission, aimed at unlocking the country’s untapped offshore oil and gas reserves.
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The first exploratory well, MN-DW18-1-H-D, was virtually inaugurated on Saturday by Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri. The project represents a major milestone in India’s deepwater hydrocarbon exploration programme and is expected to accelerate efforts to enhance domestic energy production.
Located nearly 23 nautical miles from ONGC’s Konark discovery in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, the new well builds on the company’s earlier offshore discoveries at Konark and Utkal, further strengthening exploration prospects along Odisha’s coastline.
The drilling campaign forms part of the Centre’s broader strategy to tap deepwater hydrocarbon reserves, reduce dependence on crude oil and natural gas imports, and improve the nation’s long-term energy resilience.
To support the mission, ONGC has established the Deepwater Exploration Mission Centre (DeepX) in Mumbai. The dedicated facility integrates advanced geological research, high-end data interpretation, specialised training and global technical collaborations to enhance deepwater exploration capabilities.
According to ONGC, India’s eastern and western offshore sedimentary basins, extending into water depths of up to 3,000 metres, are estimated to contain more than 5,600 million metric tonnes of oil equivalent (MMTOE) of hydrocarbon resources, offering vast potential for future energy production.
The Union Government has also expanded exploration opportunities by opening nearly one million square kilometres of previously restricted offshore areas under the upcoming Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) rounds, paving the way for increased investment and exploration activities.
Officials said the Samudra Manthan Mission is expected to play a key role in boosting indigenous oil and gas production, enhancing energy self-reliance, and supporting India’s growing energy demand in the coming decades.
With the commencement of drilling in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, Odisha has emerged as a crucial focal point in India’s deepwater exploration efforts, reinforcing its strategic importance in the country’s evolving energy landscape.
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