RPL to intensify exploration in Orissa

Reliance Petrochemicals (RPL), which has made a sizeable discovery of hydrocarbon in block Nec-25 off the Orissa coast, will intensify its exploration activities in the coming three to four years.

The company had started exploration work in the Mahanadi Basin off the Orissa coast in 2002-03 and has thus far spent Rs 450 crore on this.

"Exploration work is on and success in seven exploration wells has encouraged us," said Padmashree R N Bastia, senior vice-president, Reliance Petrochemicals. "We are confident of finding enough gas and oil in this block", he told Business Standard. Stating that exploration work was full of uncertainty, he said, "There is no book-rule to this. There has to be a vision and good luck".

In exploration, Bastia said, the selection of appropriate technology was very important as it makes the difference in the yield. A three-dimensional survey with good drilling technique brought success to the company, he asserted.

On the exploration undertaken by the public sector giant Oil and Natural Gas (ONGC) off the Orissa coast, Bastia said there was no possibility of any clash. "ONGC find is towards the north, off the Balasore coast".

About Orissa's plan, he said, a hydrocarbon extraction plan would be drawn up only after the company was able to find enough oil and gas in the block during next three to four years.