ONGC expects oil strike at Cachar PML

ONGC is hoping indications of oil might lead to success at exploration well WH-1 at WHRAA under the Silchar-based Assam and Assam Arakan Frontier Basin (AAFB) exploration asset.

ONGC has encountered Renji sands which are typically oil-bearing at the well inside the Cachar PML. Rig E-1400-11 stopped drilling at WH-1 on August 17 after two people operating the rig caught Coronavirus.

At the time, ONGC was 200 metres short of 4152 metres TD. "Within a few days, we resumed operations and reached 4000 metres," we hear.

"Sand was encountered that could yield oil; cores are under analysis." Based on geologist reports, ONGC will drill another 150 metres.

In Silchar's Barak river valley, ONGC typically drills gas wells to less than 3000 metres TD because after that the pressure is too high. However, ONGC has crossed 4000 metres at WH-1 looking for oil.

"Even if we cannot find oil, we can explore this sand again later," says an ONGC source, adding that results from WHRAA could be out within weeks. The next destination for rig E-1400-11 could either be a testing job at well BPAA in the same PML, completed in May, or exploration location BKAE in the Banaskandi PML.