ONGC Boosts Gas Production in Tripura with New Wells and Rigs

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is intensifying its operations to increase gas production in Tripura in order to supply gas to power generation plants in the northeastern state. ONGC produced 1,527 million standard cubic meters (MMSCM) of gas in Tripura in the 2023-24 fiscal year.

The company has set a target of extracting 1,675 MMSCM of gas in the current fiscal year. Krishna Kumar, ONGC’s Tripura Asset Manager, stated that the company will be drilling 20 new wells for gas exploration in the financial year 2024-25. Additionally, one more rig will be added to boost the exploration efforts, making a total of six rigs being used for natural gas exploration in the northeastern state.

ONGC is also focusing on cluster drilling to extract gas using existing well sites, as this allows the company to leverage the facilities and approvals already in place, saving on the cost and time involved in obtaining fresh approvals and acquiring new land.

Kumar emphasized the importance of proper gas utilization, highlighting that if one of the units of the Palatana power plant in the state shuts down for any reason, surplus gas supply causes a loss to ONGC. Various state-run agencies operate the gas-based power plants in Tripura.