Ganga-Punjab basin drilling new focus at ONGC
Like Oil India, ONGC is also turning its attention to the untapped and unexplored Ganga-Punjab basin.
By early 2025, ONGC plans to begin an estimated Rs 85cr ($10m) two exploration well drilling campaign at its OALP-6 block GV-ONHP-2021/2 in the basin, spread across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. "The block's initial exploration period is four years," says an ONGC source.
"We need to complete the two wells by September 2025." In Phase-I, ONGC has committed two exploration wells by September 19 (2025) as part of its Committed Work Programme (CWP).
By March 2024, Alphageo had shot 303-sq km of 3D at the block under a Rs39.33cr ($4.6m) ONGC contract awarded in July 2023. Based on the seismic results, ONGC has finalised two drilling locations: LOC-1 at 25° 45’ 22.95" N and 84° 02’ 52.03" E; and LOC-2 at 25° 49’ 01.21" N and 84° 04’ 30.22" E.
"Both the proposed exploratory wells are in Ballia district (in the Uttar Pradesh part of the 302.57-sq km block)," adds our source. ONGC wants to hire a 2000-hp rig to drill the wells to 3100 metres TD.
However, it must avoid disturbing dolphins in the River Ganga, which passes through the block. "We haven't planned any well near the Ganga," we hear.
"But noise levels must be kept down." Ganga-Punjab is a Category-3 basin with no discoveries.
Yet ONGC is encouraged by subsurface and surface gas shows. "If we find hydrocarbons, that will be exciting," we are told.
"It could upgrade the basin from Category-3 to Category-2." ONGC wants to target Neo-Proterozoic plays thrown up from the seismic.
According to DGH estimates, the block holds 38bn tonnes of hydrocarbon in place. Our source adds that no national park or biosphere reserve is within 10-km of the block boundary.
Also, no defence installations or protected monuments are nearby in this agriculture-based region with some densely populated pockets. ONGC holds 100% in GV-ONHP-2021/2 and signed the RSC on May 6 (2022).
Oil India is also exploring the Ganga-Punjab basin with plans for a 5100-lkm 2D survey there.