'Production Squad' to boost low ONGC output
ONGC has set up a dedicated team to reverse a worrying decline in production from India's western offshore.
Heading the newly set up 'Production Squad' is executive director Chandran Mathavan, who leads a 10-member team of DGMs and CGMs drawn from eight disciplines. Chairman Arun Singh announced the squad's formation in an email to officers on August 23 (2023), where he told a sorry tale of declining production.
"We have constituted an empowered in-house 'production squad' to rejuvenate the western offshore," wrote Singh. "This multi-disciplinary squad will enable 'Well, Reservoir and Facility Management (WRFM)', and with asset teams and support services, should make a big difference."
Some wonder if Mathavan will be effective - he has not been granted procurement powers. On June 8 (2023), executive director employee relations Rajan Asthana released a two-page order instructing Mathavan to report to director production Pankaj Kumar while overseeing the western offshore but without involvement in procurement.
Mathavan was previously the Mumbai High asset head, but on April 18 (2023), ONGC announced he would take charge as ED western offshore in Mumbai by April 30 (2023). Former Neelam and Heera asset manager Sanjay Kumar Mazumder replaced Mathavan as Mumbai High head.
Mathavan's team members in the production squad are: CGM production HS Chaddha and DGM reservoir Parikshit Bordoloi from Mumbai High; GM production AK Singh and manager reservoir Vikas Chowksey from Neelam and Heera; DGM reservoir Sunil Kumar Parmar from the Bassein and Satellite asset; DGM drilling Sanjay Kumar from drilling services; GM maintenance KK Doley from offshore engineering services; DGM production Praveen Kumar from well services; GM reservoir Binay Ram from the Institute of Reservoir Studies; and GM engineering Amitabh Roy from offshore maintenance services. At a strategy meeting in Hyderabad from June 24-26 (2023), director production Kumar assured Singh he would raise production from -3% to +3.5% growth by 2026 through fast-track monetisation of discoveries, collaboration with global service providers, and reducing the number of sick or unproductive wells.