ONGC Spuds First Deepwater Well in Mahanadi Basin

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) has commenced drilling its first deepwater exploratory well, MN-DW18-1-H-D, in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin. This marks a significant step under the Government of India's 'Samudra Manthan Mission' and aligns with the Prime Minister's vision to harness India's offshore hydrocarbon potential. The government has opened nearly one million square kilometers of previously restricted offshore areas for exploration. The Mahanadi basin, along with others, is estimated to hold over 5,600 MMTOE of hydrocarbon potential. This ambitious campaign, supported by ONGC's Deepwater Exploration Mission Centre (DeepX), aims to enhance domestic production, reduce import dependence, and strengthen India's energy security.