Archive · 22 Sep 2026
ONGC Strikes Deepwater Gas Well Off Odisha Coast
ONGC found natural gas under the seabed near Odisha’s Konark coast.
The well is about 43 kilometers from shore.
The discovery was made on September 18 in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin.
The well reached 1,623 meters below the surface and found gas in a specific underground layer.
Gas flowed from the well for three days.
Early tests showed encouraging flow and pressure.
This does not yet prove that enough gas can be produced profitably.
ONGC must conduct more drilling, testing and studies before deciding whether to develop the find.
The company may share facilities with other nearby discoveries to bring gas to market sooner.
ONGC discovered natural gas on September 18 at well MN-DW18-1-H-D, about 43 kilometers off Odisha’s Konark coast.
The well, drilled under the Samudra Manthan campaign, reached a target depth of 1,623 meters and encountered gas at 1,441–1,452 meters.
ONGC said the well flowed gas for three days with encouraging flow rates and sustained reservoir pressure.
Commercial production is not assured; further drilling, testing, appraisal and evaluation must establish the discovery’s extent and viability.
ONGC said the find could potentially be developed with nearby discoveries through shared infrastructure, supporting earlier monetisation if approvals are obtained.
- Who
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) discovered the gas; Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri spudded the well.
- What
- A deepwater exploration well encountered natural gas and is undergoing appraisal to determine whether it can be commercially developed.
- When
- The well was spudded on July 25, and the discovery was made on September 18.
- Where
- Well MN-DW18-1-H-D in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, about 43 kilometers off Odisha’s Konark coast.
- Why
- Further appraisal is needed to establish the reservoir’s size, quality and commercial viability; shared infrastructure could support earlier monetisation.
Development Potential
Commercial Caution
Early monetisation
Development Potential
ONGC and Hardeep Singh Puri said the discovery’s proximity to the Odisha coast could support early monetisation.
Commercial Caution
Early monetisation remains conditional on further appraisal, commercial evaluation and regulatory and commercial clearances.
Shared infrastructure
Development Potential
The discovery could be developed alongside nearby finds using common facilities, potentially reducing costs and speeding development.
Commercial Caution
ONGC has announced no development plan, production timeline or investment requirement, so the practical benefits remain unconfirmed.
Scale of the discovery
Development Potential
The encouraging flow and sustained reservoir pressure indicate positive initial drilling results.
Commercial Caution
The results do not establish the size of a commercially exploitable reserve; recoverable volumes and production capacity have not been disclosed.
- Operator
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
- Well
- MN-DW18-1-H-D
- Location
- Mahanadi Offshore Basin, 43 kilometers off Odisha’s Konark coast
- Target depth
- 1,623 meters
- Gas-bearing interval
- 1,441–1,452 meters
- Initial test
- Gas flowed for three days with encouraging flow and reservoir pressure
- Development status
- Further appraisal and commercial evaluation are required; no reserves, production capacity or timeline has been announced
