ONGC to Setup an Oil Well in Bihar

Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) is gearing up to explore for oil and gas in Bihar, with plans to drill a well in the state this year. If successful, this venture could not only place Bihar on India's oil map but also pave the way for exploration across the entire Ganga basin, extending from Bihar to Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

According to Sushma Rawat, director of exploration at ONGC, the company has already acquired 3D seismic data covering 300 sq km of its block in Samastipur, Bihar. Now, ONGC is preparing to drill two exploratory wells in the region, with the first drilling scheduled for this year at an estimated cost of ₹30-35 crore.

The data obtained from the initial drilling will inform ONGC's future plans for exploration within the block, including the drilling of a second well. This initiative marks the resumption of exploratory drilling in Bihar after nearly fifty years, utilizing updated seismic data to guide the exploration process.

Rawat emphasized that the success of this single well could unlock the potential for further exploration across the entire basin. Furthermore, a commercial discovery could significantly impact the energy landscape and spur local industry development around the production area.

In addition to the Bihar project, ONGC is also eyeing exploration opportunities in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, within the Ganga basin. However, the company has encountered challenges in land acquisition for drilling activities in this region.

Despite these hurdles, ONGC remains committed to its exploration efforts, leveraging the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) to secure exploration blocks and advance its mission to expand India's oil and gas reserves.