The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave its approval for a significant project to acquire 48,243 Line Kilometer (LKM) 2D seismic data for appraisal of Indian sedimentary basins.
A very limited data is limited data is available about these basins
A very limited data is limited data is available about these basins
Background of the project
- India has 26 sedimentary basins that cover an area of 3.14 Million Sq Km spread over onland, shallow water and deep water.
- No adequate geo-scientific data about area of 1.502 Million Sq. Km is available.
- Thus, as a base to launch future Exploration and Production (E&P) activities, appraisal of all unappraised areas has been considered an important task.
- The preparatory work started in 2015-16 and actual survey work started in 2016-17 and more than 9100 LKM 2D seismic data has been acquired till July, 2017.
Highlights of the project
- It will helps in giving the initial insight into the basins and helps in planning the future E&P activities.
- It will be useful in deciding the focus areas of the exploration activities in the country and on the basis of this primary data
- E&P companies would take up further exploration activities in the acreages allocated to them.
- The project will help in increasing the investments in domestic production of oil and gas.
- The project will be implemented by NOCs, i.e. Oil India Limited (OIL) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
- OIL will conduct survey in North - Eastern States while remaining area will be covered by ONGC. Survey work will be carried out in 24 States.
- Entire project is likely to be completed by 2019-20.
- Directorate General of Hydrocarbons is monitoring the project and reviewing the progress on monthly basis.
- After the appraisal of these basins, and based on the prospectivity of the area, blocks will be offered for further exploration & production activities which will further generate employment.
