India Draws Three Phase Plan for Shale Exploration by ONGC, Oil India

India’s ministry of petroleum and natural gas has drawn a three phase shale exploration plan for national oil companies (NOC), ONGC and Oil India.

According to Business Standard newspaper, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) would take up 175 blocks and Oil India Ltd (OIL) another 15 blocks, in three assessment phases.

ONGC would get 50 blocks in the first phase, 75 in the second and 50 in the third. OIL would get five blocks each in all three phases, Business Standard reported. Each assessment phase would be for three years.

Sources have told the newspaper that companies would get the liberty to select petroleum exploration licence or mining lease areas, to be treated as blocks.

One pilot well is compulsory in each block during the assessment phase, in every 200 sq km.

Last month, India approved the much awaited shale oil and gas policy boosting prospects of exploration of the unconventional gas in the country. As per the policy initially only NOCs, ONGC and Oil India, would be allowed to explore for shale gas and oil on acreages they already own.

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