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Business
ONGC discovers natural gas in Mahanadi Basin, 43 km off Odisha coast
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 23 Sep 2026, 03:39 AM
👁 7
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has reported a gas strike in the offshore Mahanadi Basin, located 43 kilometres from the Odisha coast, marking a significant milestone in India's offshore exploration.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) announced that its offshore drilling operation in the Mahanadi Basin has encountered natural gas. The discovery was made at a depth of about 43 kilometres from the Odisha coastline, a location that has long been identified as a prospective hydrocarbon zone.
The find is being described as a major milestone for India's offshore energy exploration, underscoring the country's push to augment domestic gas supplies and reduce reliance on imports. ONGC officials said the gas column will undergo further appraisal to determine its commercial viability.
Industry analysts note that successful offshore discoveries can boost India's energy security and support the government's goal of increasing the share of natural gas in the energy mix. The company is expected to submit a detailed development plan to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in the coming weeks.
While the exact volume of the gas reserve has not been disclosed, the discovery aligns with ONGC's broader strategy to explore deeper waters and expand its offshore portfolio across the Indian Ocean region.
The find is being described as a major milestone for India's offshore energy exploration, underscoring the country's push to augment domestic gas supplies and reduce reliance on imports. ONGC officials said the gas column will undergo further appraisal to determine its commercial viability.
Industry analysts note that successful offshore discoveries can boost India's energy security and support the government's goal of increasing the share of natural gas in the energy mix. The company is expected to submit a detailed development plan to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in the coming weeks.
While the exact volume of the gas reserve has not been disclosed, the discovery aligns with ONGC's broader strategy to explore deeper waters and expand its offshore portfolio across the Indian Ocean region.