(a) whether Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has not taken concentrated step to start the drilling activities in the Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Block awarded in 2004; and
(b) if so, the details and the reasons therefor?
(a) whether Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has not taken concentrated step to start the drilling activities in the Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Block awarded in 2004; and
(b) if so, the details and the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) & (b): Under CBM-II Round held during 2004, ONGC was awarded 5 CBM blocks. Out of
these, ONGC has relinquished 3 blocks, namely ST-CBM-2003/II, WD-CBM-2003/II and BS(3)-CBM-
2003/II, on the ground of poor prospectivity, after completing the Minimum Work Programme(MWP) of drilling coreholes/test wells under Exploration Phase-I. Out of the remaining two
blocks, ONGC has so far drilled 8 coreholes and 2 test wells in SK-CBM-2003/II block against
the MWP of 10 coreholes and 3 test wells in Phase-I. In the other block, NK (W)-CBM-2003/II,
ONGC has however, drilled 8 coreholes as against the MWP of drilling 8 coreholes and 2 test
wells in Phase-I. The Contractor has requested for the approval of the Government to exit
from this block, without completing the MWP of Phase-I, on the ground of poor prospectivity
of the block.