ONGC Plans Commercial Shale Production by Next Year

Indian state owned energy firm Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is set to commence commercial production of shale gas next year, according to Business Line newspaper.

“We are planning to drill 10 wells this year and hope to start commercial production next year,” said ONGC Chairman and Managing Director Sudhir Vasudeva at an industry event in Delhi on Friday.

The company last month said that it plans to start drilling for the shale in Cambay Basin in the Indian state of Gujarat sometime in October. The company is getting technological support for the venture from ConocoPhillips.

Earlier this month India gave a go ahead to shale gas policy which allows national oil companies ONGC and Oil India to explore for shale gas and oil. Private players are also expected to be allowed in the sector soon.

As per available data, six basins—Cambay (in Gujarat), Assam-Arakan (in the North-East), Gondawana (in central India), KG onshore (in Andhra Pradesh), Cauvery onshore and Indo-Gangetic basins, hold shale gas potential, Business Line reported.

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