Exploratory drilling activities in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat have been started to determine whether there are oil and natural gas reserves or not. The program is an important milestone in the process of trying to increase its domestic production of hydrocarbons and lower its reliance on imported energy.
The operations are being carried out in an offshore block in the Saurashtra Basin, which is more than 5400 square kilometres. The region that has hitherto not been commercially exploited in terms of oil and gas has now been opened under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP). The project is being undertaken as a joint venture of Reliance Industries, ONGC, and BP Exploration, with ONGC being the operator. These players are large industry participants who inject a high level of experience and investment in the project, which underscores the strategic value of the region.
The current drilling activities being undertaken are in exploratory mode to assess the geological structures and see whether commercially viable amounts of hydrocarbons are present. Provided this breakthrough is successful, it would provide a new source of energy in western India and lead to a substantial level of domestic energy provision in the country. This also includes not only the drilling, but also elaborate geological surveys and mapping in order to learn the potential of the basin.
Officials on the project pointed out that this move is another milestone in the energy exploration program of India. Although the Saurashtra region had long geological potential, it had not been actually drilled to extract oil and gas before. The experienced operators and use of modern drilling technologies increase the likelihood of finding viable hydrocarbon deposits.
But analysts warn that there are risks associated with the exploration drilling. Not all of such ventures always lead to commercially productive wells, and offshore drilling is characterized by logistical, technical, and environmental issues. Initial drilling to possible production may require several years and work on the appraisal, infrastructure development, safety and environmental clearances.
The drilling operation of Saurashtra is an extension of India in diversifying and increasing its domestic energy base. As the energy demand increases and the need to acquire sustainable supplies, exploration in new basins such as Saurashtra is considered an essential move. This project will hopefully be successful and may open the door to more exploration on the western coast and encourage more investment in offshore hydrocarbon exploration.
Industry observers and policymakers will anxiously wait for the outcome of drilling, which may bring far-reaching consequences to the energy security of India and the future of the exploration of hydrocarbons in the region.
