Oil and gas prospects in Meghalaya
Upstream explorer ONGC has asked India's north eastern state of Meghalaya for permission to explore for oil and gas in the Garo Hills region bordering Bangladesh.
An ONGC source in Calcutta tells Petrowatch the Meghalaya government is "not averse" to granting an exploration license but the states mining department has made it clear to ONGC that it will need a formal production license with a commitment to pay royalties if it strikes oil or gas. Meghalaya is rich in uranium, but attempts to mine the deposits at Domiosiat in the East Khasi Hills have been blocked by locals who fear radiation hazards.