OIL explores Porbandar coast for new reserves

RAJKOT, DEC 12: Buoyed by the presence of minor quantity of hydro-gas in one of the wells dug during exploration along the Porbandar coast ...

RAJKOT, DEC 12: Buoyed by the presence of minor quantity of hydro-gas in one of the wells dug during exploration along the Porbandar coast in the Arabian Sea, the Oil India Limited (OIL) has decided to conduct three dimensional seismic studies here to check the possibility of oil reserves.

A few months ago, the OIL surveyor team found for the first time the presence of very small quantity of hydro-carbon gas in one of the three wells along the Porbandar coast, highly placed sources said. The gas samples were sent to K D Malviya Institute of Petrol Engineering (KDMIPE) and on the basis of the reports, scientists decided to go in for further seismic studies of the area, the sources said. “Within a year or so we will decide whether we should go in for the drilling or not,” the sources said.

Gujarat is surrounded by oil stretches as is evident from the fact that oil was found from the Gulf of Cambay, Bombay High, Mehsana, Kadi and elsewhere in North Gujarat, the sources explained. studies on the structure of soil also strengthened the assumption that there must be oil reserves on and offshore the Western coast.

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The Oil and Natural Gas Commission’s success in striking the black gold in Kutch, has further encouraged scientists. OIL started its seismic surveys in 1990 and the preliminary research was completed in 1992. Thereafter, OIL was handed over 9000 sq km area in the Arabian Sea, some 40 nautical miles off Porbandar for the explorations. The public sector undertaking has so far spent Rs 50 crores on the survey.

Meanwhile, Reliance and Enron, which are likely to enter into contract with the Government of India for the exploration, have been assigned blocks at a close distance from that of OIL. They are yet to begin operations, sources informed.