New Delhi: Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday inaugurated the seismic survey campaign of Oil India Limited (OIL) in Mahanadi basin (Onland) at Kakatpur in Puri district of Odisha.
Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said, “It is a matter of great personal pride for me. Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) is not a mere policy anymore but is something which is translating into reality on ground. We recently signed contract for E&P blocks awarded under OALP bid round-V. ”
“Today’s inauguration will be a major milestone in establishing Mahanadi as a hub of E&P operations and building hydrocarbon reserves in line with PM Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Commercial production of oil and gas from Mahanadi basin will be a game changer in the socio-economic development of Odisha,” he added.
Seismic data acquired under National Seismic Programme (NSP) in Odisha led to offer of five blocks by DGH and OIL won all the five blocks for hydrocarbon exploration under OALP II and III rounds.
OIL plans to acquire, process and interpret 1502 LKM of 2D seismic data and 1670 sq km of 3D seismic data in the five blocks. Interpretation of the data is envisaged to lead to an extensive exploratory drilling campaign, in quest of establishing hydrocarbon reserves.