Oil exploration works in Rajasthan

Rajya Sabha



The Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Jitin Prasada informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today that oil and gas discoveries have been made in two exploration blocks in Rajasthan. While 17 discoveries have been made (13 oil and 4 gas) in the Block RJ-ON-90/1 block (Cairn-ONGC), 2 gas discoveries have been made in the Block RJ-ON/6 (FOCUS-ISIL-NOCL-ONGC). Under the PSC regime, commercial production of crude oil has commenced w.e.f. 29.08.2009 from the Mangala field in the block RJ-ON-90/1(Cairn-ONGC) in Barmer district in Rajasthan. Till 31.12.2009, about 1.62 Million Barrels of oil have been produced from Mangala Field.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation(ONGC) is currently holding one nomination and three New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) blocks covering area of Jaisalmer, Kota, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Jhalawar and Baran districts of Rajasthan and its exploration activities for oil and gas reserves are restricted to these blocks only and being pursued actively. As far as Pvt/JVs are concerned under the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) regime, so far 18 exploration blocks have been awarded under Pre-NELP and NELP rounds in the State of Rajasthan.

Replying to another query, he said that Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited(ONGC) is in consultation with the Government of Rajasthan(GoR) on the feasibility of setting up a refinery at Barmer. For this purpose GoR has set up a high level Committee on the 19th August, 2009 for the preparation of a report on the status of oil and gas sector in Rajathan in the context of future prospects and benefits for the State. Consequent on de-licensing of refinery sector since June, 1998, a refinery can be set up anywhere in India by a Private or Public Sector Enterprise depending on its commercial viability.