Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has commenced drilling its first deepwater exploratory well -- MN-DW18-1-H-D, in the Mahanadi offshore basin. The spudding of MN-DW18-1-H-D, marks the beginning of an ambitious programme to explore India’s deep and ultra-deepwater energy resource.
The well is being drilled around 23 nautical miles from Konark, off the Odisha coast, building on the company’s recent Utkal and Konark discoveries, which have strengthened the hydrocarbon prospectivity of the Mahanadi Offshore Basin.
The commencement of drilling marks the beginning of one of India’s most challenging deepwater exploration campaigns. Every prospect evaluated, well drilled and discovery made will contribute towards enhancing domestic production, reducing import dependence and strengthening India’s energy security and self-reliance.
ONGC is India’s largest government-run corporation and produces about 70% of India’s crude oil and natural gas. The corporation is the biggest public sector commercial organization in India.
