ONGC plans $561m DSF-3 joint development
After relinquishing two blocks offshore Andhra Pradesh in 2022, ONGC hopes to fare better after winning them back under DSF-3.
ONGC is planning a massive Rs4606cr ($561.84m) joint development campaign at the 697-sq km KG/OSDSF/CHANDRIKA/2021 (Chandrika), and the 148.3-sq km KG/OSDSF/GS49/2021 (GS49) blocks adjacent to each other in water depths of 6.5 to 320 metres. On April 8 (2023), the environment ministry's Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) received an ONGC proposal seeking the Terms of Reference (ToR) for an EIA to develop the blocks jointly.
The proposal includes a new 5.03m cm/d capacity onshore processing facility at Odalarevu in Andhra Pradesh to collect production from up to nine proposed wells at Chandrika (eight new, one re-entry) and a single well at GS49. ONGC also plans a subsea pipeline and umbilicals linking the new onshore Odalarevu terminal and two yet-to-be-installed automated platforms: one monopod platform at the GS-49 well location and one four-legged platform at the CN-DB location.
In its application, ONGC explains why it wants to develop the Chandrika and GS49 contract areas under an integrated development plan. "We have proposed joint development of the two blocks as the locations lie close to each other," explains an ONGC source.
"By sharing facilities, we can save costs." ONGC anticipates 'peak' gas of 5.03m cm/d from 10 producing wells: nine at Chandrika and one at GS49, delivering cumulative gas production of 12.16bn cubic metres over 12 years.
Of this cumulative production, 11.14bn cubic metres is expected from Chandrika and 1.02bn from GS49. Of the nine Chandrika wells, two wells will be drilled in the Saveri field: SA-DA, at water depths of 15.5 metres and SA-DB, at water depths of 18 metres.
One well will be drilled in the NL-2 field: NANL-2DA, in depths of 11.5 metres. One well will be drilled in the Alankari field: AL-DA, in water depths of 20.5 metres.
Three wells will be drilled in the Chandrika field: CN-DA, in water depths of 14.5 metres; well CN-DB, in water depths of 22 metres and well CSDA, in water depths of 138 metres. ONGC also wants to drill re-entry well SG-1 at Sarangi in water depths of 65 metres.
Another well, ML-DA, is planned at the Malhar field, in water depths of 320 metres.