Agartala: After decade long activities in escalation of gas production activities, state owned Oil Natural Gas Company (ONGC) has decided to go for massive exploration of natural gas and oil keeping growing energy demand in mind, said newly appointed Director, said ONGC Onshore activities V P Mahawar on Sunday.
Talking to media Mr Mahawar stated that ONGC has now targeted to optimise it’s production from existing well through hydro-fracturing system (the technology used for cracking the sand layer to facilitate flow of gas from deeper surface).’The hydro-fracturing is all set to start in old wells of Tripura from next month to enhance the productivity. Besides, ONGC management is agreed to go for massive exploration across the potential areas of India to find out new source of oil and natural gas to meet up growing demand of hydro-carbon across the globe,’ Mr Mahawar said.
He, however, pointed out that India has gas reserve of world’s only 0.7 percent and oil reserve is only 0.3 percent and added if the demand remains stable, the country could sustain for only 4-5 years, so enhance of productivity with technological intervention becomes inevitable.
Mr Mahawar further stated that ONGC has shifted it’s strategy of producing more and more gases to search out new wells for managing ever increasing demand of hydro-carbon in India.He attributed that ONGC has drilled as many as 176 wells in 11 stretches of the state and of which 82 are producing gas since 1972. The highest rate of success in exploration has convinced the authority to make commitment to supply 36 lakh cubic meters of gas to 726 MW Palatana power project for 20 years and 5 lakh cubic metres to Monarchak power plant.
In regard to ONGC performance in Tripura asset, he maintained that gas production in the state has now increased to 44 lakh standard cubic metres from 17 lakh standard cubic metres in 2012, which is highest in India.’Besides, new exploration sites, we are devoted energy to old wells of the state to enhance the capacity of production employing deep drilling technology,’ Mr Mahawar added.
He also indicated that the proposed fertilizer plant in Tripura will be delayed for another at least year because ONGC will assure the supply of gas only after getting sufficient amount of gas at least for 20 years.
‘We are exploring the possibility of more gas field in North Tripura before maling ‘We are exploring the possibility of more gas field in North Tripura before making commitment, ‘Mahawar said , adding ONGC had also signed MoU with Chambal Fertiliser Company Ltd. (UNI)