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ONGC strikes gas in Mahanadi deepwater well

By Sohail Khan 21 September 2026, 6:06 pm

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Business News›Industry›Energy›Oil & Gas›Gas found near Odisha coast: ONGC strikes Mahanadi deepwater well under Samudra Manthan, finds encouraging flow at 1,450 metres

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Gas found near Odisha coast: ONGC strikes Mahanadi deepwater well under Samudra Manthan, finds encouraging flow at 1,450 metres
Synopsis

Gas found near Odisha coast: ONGC has discovered gas in a deepwater exploration well in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, around 43 km from Konark off the Odisha coast. The discovery, made under the Samudra Manthan deepwater exploration campaign, encountered gas at a depth of 1,441–1,452 metres, with ONGC reporting "encouraging flow and reservoir pressure". The find is subject to further appraisal and commercial evaluation, while its proximity to the coast and potential use of shared infrastructure could support development if commercial viability is established.

ONGC discovers gas in deepwater well off Odisha coast; appraisal to determine commercial viability

State-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has discovered gas in a deepwater exploration well off India's eastern coast, with the find located relatively close to Odisha, potentially offering an advantage for development if further appraisal establishes commercial viability.

According to a PTI report, the discovery was made on September 18 at the MN-DW18-1-H-D well in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, around 43 km from Konark. The well was drilled as part of ONGC's Samudra Manthan deepwater exploration campaign.

Gas found at depth of nearly 1,450 metres

The exploration well encountered gas between depths of 1,441 metres and 1,452 metres. It was drilled to a target depth of 1,623 metres and is the first well drilled by ONGC in the Mahanadi Basin under the Samudra Manthan campaign.

ONGC to assess commercial potential

The discovery is not yet a confirmed commercial resource. ONGC said further appraisal and commercial evaluation will be required to establish the scale and viability of the find.

The company will assess the reservoir and its recoverable resources before taking any decision on development.

Proximity to Odisha coast may aid development

The discovery's location, around 43 km from the Odisha coast, could potentially support faster monetisation if the gas resource is found to be commercially viable.

ONGC said the discovery, along with other finds in the region, could potentially be developed through shared infrastructure and facilities. Such an approach could help reduce the need to establish separate infrastructure for individual discoveries.

The company said development could be supported under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025, which provide for deepwater resources in the area to be brought into production using shared infrastructure.

ONGC steps up deepwater exploration

The Mahanadi Basin discovery is part of ONGC's broader push into India's frontier offshore areas. Deepwater exploration is seen as an important avenue for increasing domestic hydrocarbon resources, although discoveries typically require additional appraisal, infrastructure and investment before commercial production can begin.

For the latest find, ONGC's immediate focus will be on determining the reservoir's extent, estimating recoverable resources and evaluating whether the discovery can be developed commercially.

The outcome of these assessments will determine the next stage of the project.

Inputs from PTI

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