ONGC offers CBM from Jharkhand
Almost 20 years after signing a PSC, ONGC (55%) is poised to begin CBM sales from the North Karanpura NK-CBM-2001/1 block in Jharkhand, which it shares with joint operator Prabha Energy (25%) and IndianOil (20%).
On November 25 (2021), ONGC invited RFPs for 20,000 cm/d under 'fall-back' or 'as and when available' terms with a December 17 (2021) deadline for documents and a December 27 (2021) date to open bids. Kolkata-based and DGH-accredited online e-auction agency Mjunction Services will oversee RFP submission for the gas available from an Early Production System (EPS) at well NK#6.
"Nine wells are ready to supply gas," says an ONGC source. He adds ONGC believes the 271.8-sq km horseshoe-shaped North Karanpura CBM block can eventually pump out up to 300,000 cm/d and that 46 of 68 wells announced in a Field Development Plan (FDP) approved on September 25 (2012) are primed for production.
Under the FDP, the consortium committed to drill 68 wells, and construct three Gas Collecting Stations. Of the 68 wells, ONGC has so far drilled a 'surface' hole in 51 and a 'production' hole in 46 in a campaign that began on June 7 (2018) with development well NK#8.
Still unclear are the long-term marketing prospects of CBM from NK-CBM-2001/1 which depend on pipeline connectivity with the proposed 2540-km Urja Ganga gas pipeline from Uttar Pradesh to Orissa, launched by Narendra Modi in 2016. "The DGH has assured us it will take this up with GAIL," adds our ONGC source.
Awarded under CBM-1 in 2003, the DGH estimates NK-CBM-2001/1 holds a resource potential of 2.18-tcf.