From Our Correspondent
AGARTALA: The state-owned oil giant ONGC is all set to substantially increase natural gas production in Tripura.
Of the total 11 gas fields in the state, as of now only four are operational for supplying natural gas to different power plants since the demand is less.
However, the demand for natural gas will escalate once Palatana Mega power plant and 104 MW Manarchak power project get activated, according to ONGC officials.
Though ONGC has landed here in 1970, it has initiated exploration drive way back in 1975.
“It took around 11 years to strike gas reservoir at Barmura area”, said a top official of ONGC Tripura Asset here on Wednesday.
“The oil giant has so far drilled 159 wells across the state and discovered 73 natural gas reservoirs setting a new record when it comes to success rate. While exploration success rate globally is 5: 1, here it stands at 2:1 which means hydrocarbon is ensured after digging of every two wells,” he said.
He said as of now the ONGC supplies 1.8 MMSCMD hydro carbon per day which will increase substantially by end of this year when 726 MW Palatana power project became operational.
“We are ready both in terms of technology and manpower to intensity exploration drive across the state to meet the future demand”, he said adding that more exploratory rigs would be pressed into service for exploration.
On being asked about possibility of striking oil reserve in Tripura, Raja said, “As of now nothing such possibility is visible though Geologists have been working hard on it.”
However, the quality of natural gas (hydrocarbon) here is high quality in comparison to other parts of the country. It may be noted that the ONGC had already envisaged Mission 6 Million as part of long term goal.
