ONGC wants env. consultant
ONGC wants to hire an environmental consultant for a Rs850cr ($102m) onshore development and production campaign across 17 Mining Leases (MLs) at its 820.28-sq km producing Cambay asset in Gujarat.
On June 12 (2024), ONGC invited offers with a July 3 (2024) bid deadline. "We want to start development and production of oil and gas from 140 wells in Anand, Kheda and Vadodara districts," says an ONGC source.
On March 14 (2024), the environment ministry's Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) recommended the project's Terms of Reference (ToR). ONGC submitted its application to the environment ministry exactly a month earlier, on February 14 (2024).
A 28-page PFR says 120 wells will be drilled in the Padra field, and five wells each will be drilled in the Akholjuni, Anklav, Kathana and Nadiad fields. While there are 11 PMLs in the Padra field there are three in Kathana and one each in Akholjuni, Anklav and Nadiad.
All the wells will be drilled to up to 1800 metres. Included in the scope of work is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), an environment management plan, a public hearing, and obtaining environmental and other statutory clearances, including the crucial Consent To Establish (CTE) from the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB).
"This is a long, drawn-out project," adds our ONGC source. "Starting the campaign will take 18 to 24 months."
ONGC has divided the timeframe into six stages: 16 weeks to submit a draft EIA and environmental management plan; 24 weeks to submit the final draft report; three public hearings within 50 weeks of the NoA; the submission of the final EIA and environmental management plan within 56 weeks of the NoA; the submission of the report to the EAC; and finally, obtaining environmental clearance.