An ONGC project for extraction of natural gas at Trishna in South Tripura would be operational by March, 2019, a top official of the company said here today.
"We had found gas in Trishna area about 12 years ago. Now, we are waiting for clearance from the concerned ministries. We would make the project operational by 2019, though the target was fixed in 2022," Executive Director and Asset Manager of Tripura unit, Gautam Kumar Singha Roy told reporters.
He said as the fields are within Trishna wildlife national park, the environment and forest clearance was delayed.
ONGC is taking steps to increase production of natural gas in the state.
"We need to double our production for supply of gas to our proposed fertilizer plant in North Tripura district and to supply more gas to the existing gas-based thermal power projects in the state," Singha Roy said.
A total of 225 wells have been drilled by ONGC in the state till April 2017 and 116 of them were found to be gas bearing which corresponds to the success ratio of 2:1. Presently, 76 wells are producing around 4.3-4.5 MMSCMD (Million Metric Standard Cubic meter per day), he added.
As of now, ONGC is supplying gas to the 726 MW gas-based thermal power plant at Palatana in Gomati district which caters to all the North Eastern states.
Besides, Tripura State Electrical Corporation Ltd (SECL) and Tripura Natural Gas Corporation (TNGC) receive gas from ONGC.
Singha Roy said that the ONGCs average sales in Tripura has increased from 1.7 MMSCMD in 2012-13 to 3.92 MMSCMD In 2016-17.
Till September 2016, only three drilling rigs were operational in ONGC Tripura Asset and at present, a total drilling rig strength has been increased to seven rigs to intensify exploration and generate more gas production.
Singha Roy said Tripura is one of the toughest area for exploration of hydrocarbon in the world, but despite all odds, the striking ratio here is 2:1, which is appreciable.
If we drill two wells, one becomes gas bearing. So, the striking ratio is excellent, he clarified.
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