ONGC Strikes Natural Gas In Deepwater Well Off Odisha Coast
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 22 (UDN): State-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has reported a natural gas discovery in a deepwater exploration well in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, around 43 km off Odisha’s Konark coast.
The discovery was made on September 18 at the MN-DW18-1-H-D well, identified as MDW-28, during ONGC’s ongoing deepwater exploration campaign under the Samudra Manthan initiative.
According to the company, drilling encountered a gas-bearing zone between depths of 1,441 metres and 1,452 metres. The well was subsequently perforated on September 18 and has since been producing gas.
Well Drilled To 1,623-Metre Depth
The MDW-28 well was spudded on July 25 using the drillship Platinum Explorer. Drilling continued to a target depth of around 1,623 metres, following which subsurface data was evaluated to assess the hydrocarbon-bearing zone.
ONGC said the well is currently flowing gas at an encouraging rate and has maintained healthy reservoir pressure.
However, the company clarified that the discovery has not yet been established as commercially viable. Further appraisal and technical evaluation will be required to determine the size of the reservoir, recoverable resources and its potential for commercial development.
Scope For Shared Infrastructure
The offshore location of the discovery could be significant for future development if commercial viability is established. ONGC indicated that the find could potentially be developed alongside other discoveries in the region by using shared infrastructure and facilities.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025 provide a framework for the development of deepwater resources through shared facilities, which could support future development plans.
Part Of India’s Deepwater Exploration Push
The discovery comes as ONGC expands exploration activities in deep and ultra-deepwater areas as part of efforts to boost domestic hydrocarbon production and strengthen India’s energy security.
The company launched its current exploration campaign in the Mahanadi deep offshore basin on July 25, 2026, with the spudding of MDW-28 under the Samudra Manthan programme.
ONGC Chairman Arun Kumar Singh, Director (Technology & Field Services) Vikram Singh and Director (Exploration) O.P. Sinha also visited the drillship during the operation and interacted with the crew, according to the company.
For now, ONGC’s focus remains on detailed appraisal of the discovery. The outcome of further exploration and reservoir assessment will determine whether the gas find can eventually be taken up for commercial development.
ONGC said it will continue exploring India’s deep and ultra-deepwater frontiers in its efforts to identify new hydrocarbon resources and contribute to the country’s long-term energy security.