(a) whether there is great potential of natural gas reserves in the North-Eastern
States including Manipur;
(b) if so, the quantum of natural gas reserves explored and discovered in these States, State-wise;
(c) the steps taken/being taken to start the production of gas from these gas reserves; and
(d) the time by which the production is likely to be started?
Minister of State in the Ministry of PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SMT. PANABAAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) & (b) The total prognosticated hydrocarbon resources in North East is about 5040 Million Metric
Tonne of Oil Equivalent (MMTOE) comprising of 3180 MMTOE in upper Assam Self and 1860 MMTOE in
Assam Arakan fold belt basin. Out of which 583.15 Billion Cubic Metre (BCM) of inplace natural
gas has been established by ONGC and OIL as given below:
In addition to above, under the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) regime, a total of 31 exploratory blocks have been awarded in the North Eastern states (Arunanchal Pradesh-1, Assam-19, Manipur- 2, Mizoram- 3, Nagaland-2, Tripura-4.), covering an area of 43,785 square kilometer. Out of these, 7 blocks have been relinquished so far. As a result of exploration activities, following gas discoveries have so far been made in the awarded blocks as under:
State ONGC OIL Total
Assam 151.04 324.64 475.68 Arunachal - 5.49 5.49 Pradesh Nagaland 2.02 - 2.02 Tripura 97.68 - 97.68 Mizoram 2.28 2.28 Total 253.02 330.13 583.15
The above gas discoveries are at various stages of evaluation/appraisal/commerciality and the gas reserves are yet to be ascertained.
Block name State Gas Discovery
AAP-ON-94/1 Assam 1
AA-ONN-2001/1 Tripura 1
AA-ONN-2002/1 Tripura 3
AA-ONN-2001/2 Mizoram 1
Total 6