ONGC’s $36m plan for 12 wells across 6 MLs
ONGC is preparing for a 12-well exploration drilling campaign at six onland Mining Lease (ML) areas in the western onshore basin.
On October 31 (2023), ONGC applied to the Gujarat State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) seeking clearance for the Rs300cr ($36m) programme in ML areas Gandhar-EXT-III, IV, V, VI, VII and IX sprawling across Vadodara and Bharuch districts in central and south Gujarat. ONGC plans to drill the wells using either a company-owned or hired rig.
Of the 12 wells, ONGC has proposed four in the 235.375-sq km Gandhar-Ext-III block: P1 (Lat: 22-01-10.049-N; Long: 72-43-02.77-E) targeting GS-4 and GS-8 sands; P2 (Lat: 22-00-39.50-N; Long: 72-41-39.67-E) targeting GS-4 sand; P3 (Lat: 21-59-04.22-N; Long: 72-41-32.53-E) targeting GS-4 and GS-11 sands; and P4 (Lat: 21-59-26.71-N; Long: 72-42-32.36-E) targeting GS-4 and GS-11 sands. ONGC is targetting 3000 metres TD.
Previously, 532 wells have been drilled at this block. Two exploration wells are proposed in the 29.42-sq km Gandhar-Ext-V block: P5 (Lat: 21-57-48.32-N; Long: 72-46-29.02-E) targeting GS-3B sand and P6 (Lat: 21-57-22.59-N; Long: 72-47-13.92-E) targeting GS-3B sand.
Both will be drilled up to 2900 metres. Sixteen wells have been previously drilled in this block.
Similarly, two exploration wells will be drilled in the 25.815-sq km Gandhar-Ext-VII block: P7 (Lat: 22-02-30-N; Long: 72-46-41.99-E) targeting GS-4 sand and P8 (Lat: 22-01-48.14-N; Long: 72-48-45.40-E) targeting GS-4 sand. ONGC is planning these wells up to 2900 metres depth; seven wells have been drilled here.
Two wells are planned in the 36.75-sq km Gandhar-Ext-IV block: P9 (Lat: 21-47-54.51-N; Long: 72-36-22.32-E) targeting GS-3A and GS-3B sands and P10 (Lat: 22-47-10.61-N; Long: 72-38-21.10-E) targeting GS-3A and GS-3B sands. ONGC is targeting 3200 metres TD at this block, where it has drilled 41 wells.
A single exploration well is proposed in the 42.91-sq km Gandhar-Ext-VI block: P11 (Lat: 21-45-23-N; Log: 72-36-48.71-E) targeting GS-3A and GS-3B sands up to 3300 metres TD. There are 28 old wells.
Another single exploration well P12 (Lat: 21-55-55.51-N; Log: 72-34-10.43-E) targeting GS-6A, GS-8 sands and silts within Cambay Shale is proposed to 3000 metres TD in the 45.98-sq km Gandhar-Ext-VI block. ONGC has drilled 24 wells there.