No rig, no use: ERD sops
Oil India's intense lobbying for more than a year to obtain an exemption from environmental clearance for Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) wells in forests has paid off.
But sadly, it's of no use unless Oil India can hire a 3000-hp rig. Oil India announced plans to drill seven ERD wells in Assam at a press conference on September 14 (2023), two days after it received the welcome environmental ministry exemption on September 12 (2023).
"But we can't use this change in regulations to our advantage unless we have a 3000-hp rig," admits an Oil India source. "And we are still trying to hire a 3000-hp rig."
Oil India wants to drill five firm ERD wells and two optional wells near the Dibru Saikhowa National Park in the 75-sq km Baghjan PML, not far from the Brahmaputra River. Both the DGH and Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India supported Oil India's lobbying efforts to get the ERD clearance waiver, which will apply to all E&P operators in the country.
Even with the waiver, Oil India says it will do everything it can to meet its environmental obligations and stay on the right side of the law while drilling ERD wells. "We will adhere to the regulations," stresses our source.
Some of the conditions attached to the waiver are that any drilling site station must be set up at least 500 metres from the forest area and at least 1-km from protected areas or wildlife-sensitive areas. "The exemption for ERD technology will not be applicable if the drilling area falls inside Protected Areas notified under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and Eco-Sensitive zones," reads the environment ministry's September 12 (2023) letter to Oil India.